Vertigo Due to Vestibular Disorder

The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that are involved with controlling balance and eye movements. Any damage to these can lead to Vertigo – a sensation of dizziness which makes one feel as if everything around them is spinning. Besides the spinning sensation, imbalance, unsteadiness, disorientation and nausea and vomiting may also be symptoms that accompany vertigo.

Vertigo is not a disease, but is rather a symptom of neurological vestibular disorder. Some common vestibular disorders which can cause vertigo include:

• Acoustic Neuroma : It is a tumour on the nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain, with symptoms of gradual hearing loss and tinnitus (buzzing and ringing in the ear) along with vertigo.

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo : A balance and vertigo disorder caused by irregular movement of small particles or crystals in the inner ear.

• Labyrinthitis: An inner ear disorder caused by inflammation of the part of the inner ear responsible for balance due to a viral infection.

• Meniere’s disease : A disorder of the inner ear due to abnormal amount of fluid.

• Cholesteatoma : Abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the eardrum is called cholesteatoma

It is a common mistake to dismiss symptoms of vertigo as mere headache. However, persistent vertigo that does not improve with time or repeated episodes of vertigo should not be ignored and must be evaluated by a doctor.

When to seek expert advice

You may have experienced vertigo at some point in your life. However, recurring episodes of vertigo or persistent vertigo with symptoms that do not improve in a few days should be evaluated by your doctor. If your symptoms get very severe, you must seek immediate medical help.

You can be assured of receiving the best quality medical care at The Aga Khan University Hospital, the only internationally accredited hospital of Pakistan. We have an internationally accredited staff at the Section of Otolaryngology (ENT) with whom you can safely and privately discuss your symptoms, gain advice and receive personalised treatment and care.