If you’ve ever felt like the room is spinning around you or you’re about to lose balance, you may have experienced vertigo. This troubling condition affects people of all ages, often interfering with daily life and increasing the risk of falls.
The good news? Effective treatments are available. In this comprehensive guide, Dr. Sajib Saha explains the causes of vertigo and dizziness, their diagnosis, available treatments, home remedies, prevention strategies, and answers to common patient questions.
🌪 What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is more than just feeling dizzy — it’s a false sensation of movement or spinning, even when standing still. People often describe it as:
- Feeling like the room is spinning
- Swaying or tilting sensations
- Feeling pulled to one side.
- Loss of balance
Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease—it usually indicates an underlying problem in the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve pathways.
🩺 Common Symptoms Associated With Vertigo
Vertigo rarely comes alone. It’s often accompanied by:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unsteady gait or balance problems
- Ear pressure or fullness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing.
- Sweating or anxiety
The duration of vertigo varies. Some people experience brief episodes (seconds to minutes), while others have attacks that last hours or days.
⚠️ What Causes Vertigo and Dizziness?
There are many causes, including:
Inner ear problems:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Tiny crystals in the inner ear become dislodged, triggering vertigo with head movements.
- Ménière’s Disease: Excess fluid buildup in the inner ear, often with hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Labyrinthitis/Vestibular Neuritis: Inner ear infections causing inflammation.
Neurological causes:
- Migraine-associated vertigo
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Multiple sclerosis
Other causes:
- Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- Anemia or low blood sugar
- Heart arrhythmias
- Medication side effects
- Anxiety or panic attacks
🧪 How Is Vertigo Diagnosed?
Proper diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. Dr. Sajib Saha recommends a thorough assessment including:
- Detailed medical history
- Physical examination with special focus on balance and eye movements
- Hearing tests
- Blood tests (if needed)
- Imaging (MRI, CT scan) in some cases
Sometimes, specific bedside tests like the Dix-Hallpike maneuver help confirm BPPV.
💊 Treatment Options for Vertigo and Dizziness
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
✅ Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Epley maneuver or Brandt-Daroff exercises: These head exercises help reposition inner ear crystals for BPPV.
- Hydration: Dehydration can worsen dizziness.
- Reduce salt, caffeine, and alcohol: Especially important in Ménière’s disease.
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated.
- Avoid sudden head movements.
✅ Medications
- Vestibular suppressants (meclizine, betahistine)
- Antiemetics (for nausea and vomiting)
- Steroids (for vestibular neuritis)
- Diuretics (for Ménière’s disease)
- Migraine medications are related.
✅ Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
This specialized physical therapy program uses exercises to improve balance, stability, and reduce dizziness.
✅ Surgical Options
In rare cases, when symptoms are severe and unresponsive:
- Labyrinthectomy
- Vestibular nerve section
- Endolymphatic sac decompression
🌟 Prevention and Lifestyle Tips
To reduce vertigo attacks:
- Stay physically active; improve core and leg strength.
- Avoid known triggers (specific movements, stress, or bright lights).
- Practice stress-reducing activities like yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation.
- Regular checkups with your doctor to monitor progress.
📞 When to Seek Emergency Help
See a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Sudden, severe headache
- Vision or speech difficulties
- Limb weakness or numbness
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
These could be signs of a stroke or another life-threatening condition.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can vertigo go away on its own?
Sometimes, especially BPPV, which may resolve spontaneously. But treatment speeds up recovery.
Q2. Is vertigo a sign of a brain tumor?
Rarely. Most vertigo comes from inner ear problems, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated.
Q3. Can stress cause vertigo?
Stress doesn’t directly cause vertigo, but it can worsen symptoms or trigger dizziness.
Q4. How long does treatment take?
Most patients improve within days to weeks with proper treatment and exercises.
📍 Why Choose Dr. Sajib Saha for Vertigo Treatment?
Dr. Sajib Saha is an experienced ENT specialist dedicated to diagnosing and treating vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders. Patients trust him for:
- Accurate diagnosis
- Personalized treatment plans
- Expert-guided exercises and therapy
- Compassionate care and follow-up
📞 Book Your Appointment Today
Don’t let vertigo take control of your life.
✅ Call: 01915 88 66 55
✅ Visit: “Click here”
✅ Location: 68-69 Concept Tower, 3rd Floor, Room No. 337, Green Road, Dhaka 1205.
Regain your balance and confidence with expert care from Dr. Sajib Saha.