Imbalance and Vertigo clinic at ENT360 is a dedicated service to treatment of one of the most distressing symptoms that a person can experience. Nausea, vomiting and ringing in the ear are common additional symptoms to vertigo. Few of the many conditions that cause these symptoms are:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular neuritis
- Meniere’s disease
- Migrainous vertigo
- Acoustic neuroma
- Labyrinthine stroke
- Cerebellar stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Vivid but short duration vertigo is the hallmark of BPPV. Symptoms are usually brought on by a sudden change in the position of head and are commonly associated with severe nausea and vomiting. Hearing is not affected. It is the most common cause of vertigo in adults.
Vestibular neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is the inflammation of the inner ear. It starts suddenly and lasts upto few days along with nausea, vomiting and sense of imbalance. It is a self limiting condition wherein treatment is mostly supportive.
Meniere’s disease
An uncommon condition caused by excess fluid in the inner ear. Meniere’s disease can affect adults of any age group. Vertigo and imbalance are accompanied by fullness of ear, tinnitus and hearing loss. Symptoms may last from half an hour to a few hours, however rarely extending to a few days. This can recur several times. Treatment is based on accurate diagnosis.
Migrainous vertigo
Visual and olfactory auras are well known phenomenon seen in migraine. Vertigo and dizziness are rare types of auras.
Acoustic neuroma
This is a benign tumour that affects the nerve to the ear. It can cause imbalance, vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. High clinical suspicion along with supporting investigations are necessary for diagnosis and to start treatment.
Other causes
Neurological disorders such as Stroke and Multiple sclerosis may present with vertigo and imbalance.
For more information regarding these symptoms and their treatment click here.