Vertigo Specialists in Kodagu, Karnataka

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness in which a person feels a false sensation of spinning or motion, either of themselves or their surroundings, even while …

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness in which a person feels a false sensation of spinning or motion, either of themselves or their surroundings, even while completely still. It typically arises from a disturbance in the inner ear's vestibular system or in the brain pathways that process balance signals. The sensation can range from a brief, mild spinning feeling to a severe, incapacitating episode accompanied by nausea and loss of balance. It is a symptom rather than a disease in itself, and can be triggered by head movement, certain positions, or occur spontaneously.

Severity

Moderate

Prevalence

Common — affects up to 30% of adults at some point in their lives

Contagious

Causes of Vertigo

Most commonly caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), where displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear disrupt balance signals, or by inner ear disorders such as vestibular neuritis and Meniere's disease. Central causes include migraine, stroke, or lesions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum. Risk factors include head injury, aging, and prior inner ear infections.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Spinning or whirling sensation, loss of balance, nausea and vomiting, unsteadiness or difficulty walking, nystagmus (abnormal eye movements), sweating, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, headache

Treatment & Types of Vertigo in Kodagu, Karnataka

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include the Epley maneuver or other repositioning techniques for BPPV, vestibular rehabilitation therapy to retrain balance, and medications such as antihistamines or anti-nausea drugs for symptomatic relief. Meniere's disease may require dietary salt restriction and diuretics, while central causes require treatment of the underlying neurological condition.

Vertigo is classified as peripheral, arising from a disturbance in the inner ear's vestibular system such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, or Meniere's disease, which together account for the large majority of cases, versus central, arising from the brain pathways that process balance signals due to causes such as migraine, stroke, or lesions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum. This distinction is clinically important since peripheral causes are generally less dangerous and more treatable, while central causes require prompt evaluation to rule out serious underlying neurological conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, where displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear disrupt balance signals, is the most common cause and typically responds very well to a repositioning technique called the Epley maneuver performed by a doctor or physical therapist. It often causes brief episodes of spinning triggered by specific head movements or positions.

How do I know if my dizziness is vertigo or something else?

Vertigo specifically involves a false sensation of spinning or motion, either of yourself or your surroundings, rather than a vaguer feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness, which can have different underlying causes. This distinction helps a doctor narrow down whether the cause is likely inner ear-related or from another source entirely.

When is vertigo a sign of something more serious like a stroke?

Central causes including stroke are more likely when vertigo is accompanied by other neurological symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, weakness, or severe imbalance that doesn't fit the typical pattern of an inner ear problem, and these combinations warrant urgent evaluation. Vertigo alone without these additional signs is far more often due to a peripheral, less serious cause.

Can vertigo be treated without medication?

Yes, the Epley maneuver or other repositioning techniques effectively treat BPPV without medication, and vestibular rehabilitation therapy helps retrain balance for various causes of vertigo, often reducing or eliminating the need for long-term medication. Medications such as antihistamines or anti-nausea drugs are generally reserved for symptomatic relief during acute episodes.

Is Meniere's disease a cause of vertigo, and how is it managed?

Yes, Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder causing episodes of vertigo along with hearing loss and tinnitus, typically managed with dietary salt restriction and diuretics to reduce fluid pressure within the inner ear. An ENT or neurologist can confirm this diagnosis and tailor a management plan since it differs from the treatment for BPPV.

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