Vertigo – Should you be concerned?

People suffering from Vertigo often complaint about dizziness, imbalance, and light-headedness

Have you ever felt that strange sensation of spinning dizziness? That feeling is as though your surroundings are spinning. If yes, then you are not alone. Vertigo is a common problem that affects millions of people in the world. People suffering from it often complaint about dizziness, imbalance, and light-headedness. This imbalance has symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting or unsteadiness on walking, ringing or a feeling of fullness in the ear, which may worsen when we move our head.

Though these symptoms are barely noticeable at the beginning, they may become severe in the long run. Patients suffering from vertigo lack financial and emotional support as their daily activities get restricted. This can also lead to numerous visits to doctors from various specialities such as medicine, orthopaedics, psychiatry, ENT and neurologists.

Contrary to the notion, vertigo is not an illness. It is a symptom just like fever. There is a misconception among people that vertigo has no definite treatment. And not just that, the term vertigo is often incorrectly used to describe a fear of heights. Vertigo has more than 30-50 diseases associated with it. Therefore, one must think ahead while treating a patient with vertigo as it can be Central, Peripheral, Psychogenic and may be associated with Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Anaemia or auto-immune diseases. An in-depth analysis can help the practitioners conclude whether a vertigo patient is suffering from disorders like BPPV, Meniere's Disease, Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis, Acoustic Neuroma, Otolith Dysfunction, Vestibular Migraine, Central Vestibulopathy or psychogenic disorders. Various articles recommend lifestyle changes like lying still in a quiet dark room, sitting down as soon as one starts feeling dizziness, taking extra time to perform movements that trigger symptoms, such as getting up, looking upward, or turning the head, squatting instead of bending over to pick something up, sleeping with the head raised on two or more pillows, to help reduce the symptoms of dizziness or vertigo. However, it is advisable to consult a specialist before trying these measures.

What can you do about it?
Dr. Neha Shrivastava plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating vertigo. Dr. Neha hrivastava is the Director of The American Institute of Balance India and a practising consultant Neurotologist and ENT specialist at the RTKL VERTIGO & ENT clinic in Mumbai. She is also the co-owner of RTKL Diagnostics Mumbai.

After pursuing MS (ENT) from Padmashree Dr. DY Patil Medical College & Hospital and MBBS from Terna Medical College and Hospital, Mumbai, Dr Neha further pursued International Vestibular Rehabilitation Course from American Institute of Balance, Florida.

Dr. Neha Shrivastava has authored multiple research papers and publications and played an integral part in various workshops and conferences across the globe. She is an active member of The Indian Society of Otology, The Indian Association of Otology and Head and Neck Surgery, and The Neurotological and Equilibrium Society of India. Her dedication and efforts in helping patients overcome their difficulties have helped her gain a respectable place among the youngest and brightest generation of doctors to practise Neurotology in India.

The American Institute of Balance, India - Advancing the study of Human Equilibrium

Dr. Neha Shrivastava is also an integral part of The American Institute of Balance (AIB), founded in 1992 with a mission to provide consistent, high-quality, evidence-based care andbalanced health to all. The organization plays a vital part in professional development for practitioners throughout the world. AIB's therapy programs are used by physicians, audiologists and therapists worldwide. The institute is among the largest multi-speciality centres for the evaluation and treatment of dizziness and balance disorders.

Providing a spectrum of exemplary services like teleconsultations and physical check-ups by global in-house experts and calibre evidenced-based diagnostic treatments, AIB strives to serve patients in a caring, compassionate, and cost-effective manner.

Following stringent international protocols, AIB takes detail history analysis with clinical examinations and necessary investigations to come to the final diagnosis. Patients have adequate time to narrate their history in-depth. They can also book an appointment and consult experts from the comfort of their homes.

As vertigo is a subjective illness, it is vital to take patients perspectives into consideration. Concluding without complete knowledge of the case history can lead to misdiagnosis and can ultimately affect the patient. Often patients with recurring episodes of vertigo have weakness of the balance apparatus function (called peripheral vestibulopathy).

Such patients require Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy for several weeks to help the nervous system develop compensatory strategies by neuroplasticity.

What AIB India has to offer?
The AIB institute provides the global healthcare community with the most current and scientifically robust clinical protocols & information through classes, workshops, online education & certification programs. The AIB certification programs are for practitioners, doctors & health consultants. These programs help them dedicating their skills, knowledge and expertise for the betterment of their patients. The programs are designed to help healthcare professionals distinguish themselves from the competition, utilize industry based best practices, & demonstrate leadership, commitment and expertise. The institute also offers licensing of AIB speciality care in the Audiology, ENT, Rehabilitation and Neurology segments and has a global network of over 2,000 trained and certified professionals. AIB India provides franchise owners with a wholesome range of processes to become AIB members and join their endeavour of building a strong and better community.

We are sure that you now certainly know how diagnosis plays a crucial part in treating vertigo. So next time when you or your loved ones feel dizzy, you know what to do. You can also visit www.aibindia.com and take the Patient Self Quiz for Dizziness and Balance Problems test today. You can also book your appointment and get expert consultation without leaving your home.

Contact Us:

Dr. Neha Shrivastava MS ENT, MBBS (Neurotologist)

Director, The American Institute of Balance

RTKL VERTIGO AND ENT CLINIC, MUMBAI

Row House No 5, Opp. Siddharth Nagar Complex, Next to BMC Garden, Borivali East, Mumbai - 400066

Contact: +91 7777053057

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF BALANCE, INDIA

Contact: +91 7777054136, Visit: www.aibindia.com, Email: info@aibindia.com / aibindia24x7@gmail.com