Overview

Vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, making it difficult to maintain your balance. This sensation can range from minor to severe and can last from a few minutes to several hours or longer.

If you have severe vertigo, your symptoms may be persistent and extend for several days without treatment. Vertigo is usually caused by problems in the inner ear (peripheral vertigo) or the brain (central vertigo).

What are the symptoms of vertigo?

Symptoms of vertigo include:

Dizziness
Headaches or migraines
Abnormal eye movement (nystagmus)
Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting

What are the causes of vertigo?

Vertigo can be caused by various factors, including:

A stroke or a concussion
Head or neck injury
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). It is a condition in which vertigo is triggered by particular head movements that occurs when calcium particles become displaced from their natural location and aggregate in the inner ear.
Ménière’s disease. It is a condition that produces an accumulation of fluid and shifting pressure in the ear. This condition can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
Cholesteatoma. It is a noncancerous skin growth that develops as a result of chronic infection and damages the middle ear’s bone structures, causing hearing loss and dizziness.
Vestibular neuritis or Labyrinthitis. Both are infections that cause inflammation of the inner ear. A person with one of these conditions may experience visual problems and a sense of being off-balance.

How is vertigo diagnosed?

During your consultation, our ENT doctor will review your medical history and symptoms, perform a physical examination and ask you to do simple exercises to check your balance, including moving from a sitting to a lying position or walking straight with your eyes closed. The doctor may also request a head CT or MRI scan to determine the cause of your problem.

How is vertigo treated?

Vertigo treatment is determined based on the cause and severity of your symptoms. In many cases, vertigo goes away on its own without treatment. However, treatment may be required for some patients and may include the following:

Medication, such as prochlorperazine, may be prescribed to treat vertigo symptoms such as nausea.
Antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce swelling and cure infection if vertigo is caused by an infection or inflammation.
Epley maneuver for BPPV patients – the doctor will show you a series of specialized head and body movements to alleviate your symptoms.
Vestibular rehabilitation training (VRT) – the doctor will teach you some exercises that focus on improving the vestibular system’s strength and developing other senses to compensate for vertigo.
Diuretics (water tablets) or lorazepam medication may be prescribed for Ménière’s disease patients to help with dizziness and relieve pressure caused by fluid buildup.
Surgery. Vertigo may necessitate surgery in some cases, including a tumor or a brain or neck injury.

How to prevent vertigo in the future?

To prevent the reoccurrence of vertigo in the future or reduce vertigo effects, you should sleep with two or more pillows under your head. Whenever you start feeling dizzy, you should sit down or lie still in a quiet, darkened room. You should also avoid bending down and attempt to stay away from stressful circumstances.

Schedule your appointment at Novomed today!

If you are experiencing vertigo symptoms, make an appointment with one of our expert ENT doctors in Dubai to learn more about your condition and treatment options.

Book your consultation today by calling toll-free 8006686 or clicking the live chat icon at the bottom of the screen.