What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is not simply "feeling dizzy." It is a specific medical symptom in which you experience a false sensation of spinning — either the world around you appears to rotate, or you feel as if you are rotating yourself. This feeling arises from a disturbance in the vestibular system, the inner ear mechanism responsible for your sense of balance.
In Lucknow, many patients seek help for vertigo only after months of suffering, often misattributing it to blood pressure, stress, or cervical problems. In fact, the vast majority of vertigo cases have a treatable inner ear cause that can be identified with the right diagnostic tools.
Did you know? BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) — the most common cause of vertigo — can be resolved in 1 to 3 clinic visits with a specific repositioning procedure. No medication required.
Types of Vertigo
Understanding the type of vertigo you have is the first step toward effective treatment. Each type has a distinct cause, duration, and management approach.
BPPV
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Caused by displaced calcium crystals in the semicircular canals. Episodes last seconds, triggered by head movement. Most common and most treatable.
Vestibular Neuritis
Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often following a viral infection. Causes prolonged, intense vertigo lasting days to weeks. No hearing loss. Treated with vestibular rehabilitation.
Meniere's Disease
Episodic vertigo lasting 20 minutes to several hours, accompanied by low-pitched tinnitus, ear fullness, and fluctuating hearing loss. Caused by excess inner ear fluid.
Labyrinthitis
Inflammation of the inner ear affecting both balance and hearing. Causes vertigo with sudden hearing loss. Often follows respiratory infection. Requires urgent ENT evaluation.
Central Vertigo
Caused by problems in the brain or brainstem (stroke, tumour, multiple sclerosis). Less common but more serious — often presenting with neurological signs and continuous vertigo.
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Dizziness arising from neck muscle tension or cervical spine issues. Often confused with inner ear vertigo. Requires careful differentiation during vestibular workup.
Seek immediate care if vertigo is accompanied by sudden severe headache, slurred speech, double vision, weakness on one side, or inability to walk. These may indicate a stroke or central nervous system event.
Symptoms — How to Tell What You Have
| Symptom | BPPV | Meniere's | Vestibular Neuritis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinning | Triggered by movement | Spontaneous episodes | Persistent, severe |
| Duration | < 1 minute | 20 min – several hours | Days to weeks |
| Hearing loss | No | Yes, fluctuating | No |
| Tinnitus | Rare | Yes (low-pitched) | Rare |
| Ear fullness | No | Yes | No |
| Nausea | Mild | Moderate–severe | Severe initially |
| Falls / imbalance | Mild | During attack | Significant |
How We Diagnose Vertigo at HealthNest
Accurate diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective vertigo treatment. At HealthNest Clinic, we use a structured vestibular workup — not guesswork.
Detailed History & Clinical Interview
When did it start? How long do episodes last? What triggers them? This alone narrows the diagnosis significantly.
Dix-Hallpike & Positional Testing
Bedside maneuvers that reproduce your vertigo and allow us to observe nystagmus. This is the standard test for BPPV.
VNG — Videonystagmography
The gold standard for vestibular function testing. Using infrared goggles, we record and analyse eye movements to pinpoint which canal is affected and distinguish peripheral from central causes.
Audiometry & Tympanometry
Hearing tests to assess cochlear function and middle ear pressure. Essential for diagnosing Meniere's disease.
ENT Endoscopy (if indicated)
Direct visualisation of the ear canal and tympanic membrane when structural pathology is suspected.
Referral for Imaging (if needed)
When central vertigo is suspected, we coordinate MRI of the posterior fossa with trusted radiology centres in Lucknow.
Treatment Options
1. Epley Maneuver (Canalith Repositioning)
For BPPV, the Epley maneuver is the first-line treatment — a series of specific head and body movements performed in the clinic to guide displaced calcium crystals back to their correct position. Success rate exceeds 85–90% in the first session. Many patients feel significant relief within minutes.
2. Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises
Customised exercise programmes designed to retrain the brain's balance processing. Particularly effective for vestibular neuritis and chronic balance disorders. We provide personalised home exercise protocols at HealthNest.
3. Medication Management
Vestibular suppressants (cinnarizine, betahistine) may be used short-term during acute attacks. For Meniere's disease, diuretics and dietary sodium restriction form the backbone of medical management. We avoid long-term suppression as it impairs vestibular compensation.
4. Diet & Lifestyle Modification
For Meniere's disease: low-salt diet (<1500 mg sodium/day), reduced caffeine and alcohol, stress management, adequate sleep. We provide structured dietary counselling alongside medical treatment.
5. Advanced Interventions (when needed)
Refractory cases may require intratympanic gentamicin injection or surgical options, which we evaluate and co-manage with appropriate specialists.
HealthNest Vertigo Workup Package includes: VNG testing + full clinical assessment + repositioning maneuver (if BPPV confirmed) + written report + follow-up plan. Call 083828 11224 to schedule.
When Should You See a Vertigo Specialist?
- Dizziness or spinning that lasts more than a few minutes
- Vertigo that has recurred more than once
- Dizziness triggered by turning in bed or looking up
- Associated hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear fullness
- Falls or significant imbalance during daily activities
- Vertigo not improving after 2–3 weeks of general treatment
- Any vertigo in a child or elderly person
Do not delay evaluation if you drive, operate machinery, or work at height — untreated vestibular disorders are a significant safety hazard.