Vertigo, dizziness & vestibular disorders Amritsar

Livasa Hospitals | Livasa Amritsar — For appointments call +91 80788 80788 or book online. This guide explains vertigo, dizziness and vestibular disorders with a practical focus for residents of Amritsar and Punjab, helping you recognize symptoms, understand tests and compare treatments including BPPV Amritsar, vestibular rehabilitation Amritsar and vestibular physiotherapy Amritsar.

What is vertigo and vestibular disorder?

Vertigo and dizziness are common complaints that affect people of all ages and often reflect problems of the inner ear, brain, or sensory and balance pathways. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterized by the false sensation that you, or the environment around you, are spinning or moving. Patients frequently say the room is spinning, they feel tilted, or perceive motion when still. Vestibular disorders refer to a group of conditions that affect the vestibular system — the inner ear structures (semicircular canals, otolith organs) and their connections to the brain — that maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Vestibular dysfunction can lead to vertigo, unsteadiness, imbalance, visual disturbances (oscillopsia), nausea, and anxiety. These symptoms may be episodic, sudden, chronic or progressive. In Amritsar, patients commonly present with positional vertigo Amritsar (BPPV Amritsar), vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraine. Understanding the difference between general dizziness and true vertigo is important because management differs: dizziness can be caused by cardiovascular problems, medications, metabolic conditions, or neurological disease, while vertigo usually implicates vestibular structures.

For local patients seeking care, keywords such as vertigo Amritsar, dizziness Amritsar, vestibular disorder Amritsar and BPPV Amritsar will help you find experienced vestibular specialists in Amritsar. At Livasa Amritsar we combine ENT, neurology and physiotherapy expertise to deliver coordinated care for balance disorders in Punjab.

Common causes and types of vertigo

Vertigo can originate from peripheral causes (inner ear) or central causes (brainstem and cerebellum). Knowing the cause shapes immediate management and long-term prognosis. Below are the most frequent etiologies encountered in outpatient clinics and emergency settings in Amritsar and across Punjab.

Peripheral causes:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — the most common cause of recurrent positional vertigo, triggered by head movements that displace calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) into the semicircular canals.
• Vestibular neuritis / labyrinthitis — sudden, often severe vertigo due to viral inflammation of the vestibular nerve; labyrinthitis includes hearing symptoms.
• Meniere’s disease — episodic vertigo with fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and aural fullness caused by endolymphatic hydrops.
• Perilymph fistula — inner ear fluid leak after trauma or barotrauma causing positional symptoms and imbalance.

Central causes:

• Vestibular migraine — recurrent vertigo with migrainous features (headache, photophobia, phonophobia) and normal ear tests.
• Brainstem or cerebellar stroke — acute severe vertigo with neurological signs (double vision, difficulty speaking, limb weakness); medical emergency.
• Multiple sclerosis, tumors — less common but important causes, often progressive and associated with other neurological deficits.

Knowing the specific subtype — for example BPPV Punjab vs vestibular migraine Punjab — guides diagnostics like the Dix-Hallpike test and treatments like the Epley maneuver or vestibular rehabilitation. In Amritsar, clinicians often differentiate these conditions through history, targeted bedside tests, and confirmatory vestibular testing such as VNG test Amritsar and ENG test Amritsar.

Recognizing symptoms and when to seek emergency care

Symptoms of vertigo and dizziness vary widely but commonly include spinning sensation, tilting, tilting to one side, imbalance, lightheadedness, and visual instability. Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, hearing loss, tinnitus, headache, and difficulty walking. Recognizing red flags ensures timely care and prevents complications.

Typical symptom clusters:

• Acute continuous vertigo (hours to days) with severe nausea and inability to stand: suggests vestibular neuritis or stroke.
• Brief positional vertigo (seconds) triggered by rolling over or looking up: classic BPPV.
• Episodic vertigo lasting minutes to hours with hearing symptoms: consider Meniere’s disease.
• Recurrent vertigo with migraine symptoms: consider vestibular migraine.

Seek emergency care (visit the nearest hospital or call emergency services) if you experience:

• Sudden severe vertigo with double vision, slurred speech, weakness, or numbness on one side of the body — these are signs of a possible stroke.
• New-onset severe imbalance causing inability to walk or stand.
• High fever combined with vertigo or stiff neck — could point to central infection or CNS involvement.
• Severe hearing loss with vertigo — may indicate labyrinthitis or Meniere’s crisis.

For concerns in Amritsar, Livasa Amritsar provides urgent evaluation for vertigo emergencies. Call +91 80788 80788 for immediate guidance. Early recognition and triage improve outcomes, especially when a stroke or other central cause must be excluded quickly with imaging and neurological assessment.

Diagnosis: tests and clinical evaluation

Diagnosing vertigo starts with a careful history and focused physical exam. A skilled clinician will determine whether symptoms reflect peripheral or central pathology and which diagnostic tests are most appropriate. In Amritsar many patients are referred for vestibular testing such as VNG test Amritsar and ENG test Amritsar; these help quantify eye movements and document nystagmus that confirms vestibular dysfunction.

Common diagnostic steps:

• Detailed history: onset, duration, triggers, associated symptoms (hearing loss, headache), medication review and prior head injury.
• Bedside vestibular tests: Dix-Hallpike test for posterior canal BPPV, supine roll test for horizontal canal BPPV, head impulse test to detect vestibular hypofunction, Romberg and gait testing.
• Vestibular function tests: Videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG), video head impulse test (vHIT), vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), caloric testing.
• Hearing evaluation: Pure tone audiometry, tympanometry when hearing symptoms present.
• Neuroimaging: MRI brain with attention to posterior fossa when central causes suspected; CT may be used in acute stroke workup.

Below is a comparison of commonly used vestibular tests to help patients understand what to expect:

Livasa Amritsar offers comprehensive vestibular testing including VNG test Amritsar, ENG test Amritsar, Dix-Hallpike test Amritsar and vHIT as part of the vertigo diagnosis pathway. Accurate diagnosis reduces unnecessary imaging and allows early targeted treatment. For example, a positive Dix-Hallpike with characteristic nystagmus typically means immediate repositioning maneuvers are possible and effective.

Treatment options: maneuvers, medications and procedures

Treatment of vertigo is individualized based on the cause. Many peripheral vestibular problems respond well to simple, evidence-based maneuvers, while others require medications, vestibular rehabilitation or rarely surgical intervention. Below we detail the main treatment modalities, their benefits and recovery expectations so patients in Amritsar and across Punjab can make informed choices.

Repositioning maneuvers:

• Epley maneuver — gold standard for posterior canal BPPV; sequential head movements move otoconia out of the canal into the vestibule.
• Semont maneuver — an alternative for posterior canal BPPV, often helpful when Epley is not tolerated.
• Roll (Barbecue) maneuver — used for horizontal canal BPPV.

Medications and symptom control:

• Vestibular suppressants (meclizine, benzodiazepines): helpful short-term for severe nausea and motion; not advised for long-term use because they impede central compensation.
• Antiemetics for nausea and vomiting.
• Diuretics and low-sodium diet for Meniere’s disease management.
• Triptans, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers and preventive migraine medications for vestibular migraine.

Procedural and surgical options:

• Intratympanic steroid or gentamicin injections for refractory Meniere’s disease.
• Endolymphatic sac decompression or shunt for selected Meniere’s patients.
• Vestibular nerve section or labyrinthectomy

Below is a table comparing treatment approaches to give clarity on benefits and recovery:

For patients in Amritsar, common searches such as vertigo treatment Amritsar, BPPV treatment Amritsar, and Epley maneuver Amritsar will direct you to clinics like Livasa Amritsar where trained vestibular specialists perform maneuvers safely and teach home exercises. Importantly, the Epley maneuver is typically performed in a clinic setting but can be taught for home use under supervision when appropriate.

Vestibular rehabilitation and physiotherapy

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of physiotherapy designed to help the brain compensate for inner ear or sensory deficits. It uses tailored exercises to improve gaze stability, balance, posture and functional mobility. VRT is particularly effective for patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction, chronic dizziness, or residual imbalance after an acute vertigo episode.

Core components of vestibular physiotherapy:

• Gaze-stabilization exercises to improve vestibulo-ocular reflex and reduce visual blurring during head movement.
• Balance training including stance, gait and multisensory exercises to recalibrate how the brain uses vision, proprioception and vestibular inputs.
• Habituation exercises to reduce sensitivity to motion and positional triggers by gradual exposure.
• Functional retraining to address daily tasks, falls prevention and ergonomic adjustments at home or work.

Benefits of vestibular physiotherapy include symptom reduction, fewer dizzy episodes, lower fall risk and improved quality of life. It is an evidence-based therapy increasingly recommended in guidelines for chronic dizziness and vestibular hypofunction. In Amritsar and Punjab, vestibular rehabilitation Punjab and vestibular physiotherapy Amritsar are available at speciality centres; Livasa Amritsar integrates physiotherapy with ENT and neurology for multidisciplinary care.

The table below compares vestibular rehabilitation with medication-focused treatment to highlight when VRT is preferred:

Practical considerations for patients in Amritsar: sessions typically run 30–60 minutes and may be weekly initially, then less frequent as progress is made. Typical course length ranges from 4 to 12 weeks depending on severity. Patients often ask about vestibular rehabilitation cost Amritsar — costs vary by clinic and session number; Livasa Amritsar provides transparent pricing and bundled plans when multiple sessions are needed. Call +91 80788 80788 to discuss customised plans and estimates.

Living with chronic dizziness: coping and prevention

Chronic dizziness can be distressing and affect daily activities, work and emotional well-being. Effective long-term management includes medical treatment, vestibular rehabilitation, lifestyle changes and coping strategies. This section explains practical steps to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for residents of Amritsar and surrounding areas.

Lifestyle and self-management tips:

• Reduce triggers: avoid rapid head movements, bright flickering lights and extreme heights until symptoms lessen.
• Hydration and salt intake: maintain adequate fluids; for Meniere’s disease follow low-sodium recommendations and consider diuretic therapy if advised.
• Medication review: many drugs (antihypertensives, sedatives, some antidepressants) can cause dizziness; review with your physician.
• Balance-friendly home modifications: handrails, good lighting, remove trip hazards, non-slip mats, and sit-to-stand strategies to reduce falls.
• Regular exercise: supervised balance and strength training supports compensation and reduces fall risk.
• Mental health support: anxiety and depression frequently co-occur with chronic dizziness; psychological therapies (CBT) may help manage symptom-related fear and avoidance.

Prevention and monitoring:

• Early evaluation of new or recurrent vertigo prevents complications and improves outcomes.
• For BPPV, learn home-based repositioning only after clinician instruction to avoid injury.
• Maintain follow-up with your vestibular team for progressive symptoms — prompt adjustments to therapy often provide relief.

Locally, Livasa Amritsar offers integrated chronic dizziness programs including vestibular exercises, counseling, and occupational therapy referrals. For patients searching chronic dizziness Amritsar or balance disorder Amritsar, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended to treat both the physical and psychological facets of the condition.

How to choose a vestibular specialist and vertigo clinic in Amritsar

Choosing the right specialist is critical for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Vertigo care often involves coordination between ENT surgeons, neurologists, audiologists, and physiotherapists. Here are practical criteria to help you select a clinic or clinician in Amritsar or elsewhere in Punjab.

Key factors to consider:

• Multidisciplinary team: look for centers that combine ENT, neurology and vestibular physiotherapy — this promotes comprehensive assessment and tailored care.
• Access to vestibular testing: VNG, vHIT, calorics, VEMP and audiometry should be available on-site for efficient diagnosis.
• Experience with maneuvers and VRT: certified clinicians who perform Epley, Semont and structured VRT produce better outcomes.
• Local reputation and patient reviews: search terms like best vertigo doctor Amritsar, vertigo specialist Amritsar and vertigo clinic Amritsar can reveal patient feedback and clinic performance.
• Transparent costs and insurance support: clinics should provide clear estimates for tests, treatment sessions and surgery when required.

For families in Amritsar wondering where to treat vertigo in Amritsar or seeking the best vertigo treatment in Amritsar, Livasa Amritsar combines on-site diagnostic tools, vestibular physiotherapy services and ENT/neurology consultations. Our vertigo clinic Amritsar is equipped to handle pediatric vertigo, adult vestibular disorders, and complex cases, with clear referral pathways and patient education.

Local statistics, outcomes and common patient questions

Understanding prevalence and outcomes helps set expectations. Globally, dizziness and vertigo affect roughly 15–30% of adults at some point in their lives. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is responsible for approximately 20–30% of vertigo referrals to specialty clinics. In India, community studies indicate dizziness is common in older adults, with increasing prevalence due to aging population and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.

Local trends observed in Punjab and Amritsar clinics include:

• High proportion of BPPV cases presenting as brief positional vertigo — easily treatable with maneuvers.
• Seasonal or post-viral vestibular neuritis presentations following upper respiratory infections.
• Increased referrals for vestibular rehabilitation for chronic imbalance and post-concussion dizziness.

Common patient questions answered briefly:

• How effective is the Epley maneuver? — Success rates for posterior canal BPPV are 70–90% with one to two treatments.
• Is vestibular rehabilitation helpful? — Yes, particularly for chronic dizziness; most patients notice progressive improvement over weeks to months.
• When is imaging needed? — MRI is recommended when central signs are present or when symptoms do not correlate with peripheral vestibular findings.
• What about children? — Pediatric vertigo requires specialist assessment (pediatric ENT/neurology); causes differ and management is tailored.

If you are searching for terms such as VNG test Amritsar, Dix-Hallpike test Amritsar, vestibular testing Amritsar or vertigo diagnosis Amritsar, Livasa Amritsar provides testing with experienced audiologists and vestibular physiotherapists to ensure reliable diagnosis and follow-up care.

How to prepare for your appointment and what to expect

Preparing for a vertigo or dizziness appointment helps clinicians reach a diagnosis quickly and start the right treatment. When booking at Livasa Amritsar or another vestibular clinic in Amritsar, consider the following checklist to make your visit efficient and effective.

Before the appointment:

• Note the pattern of symptoms: onset (sudden vs gradual), duration (seconds/minutes/hours), triggers (position, motion), and any associated ear or neurological symptoms.
• List current medications, recent illnesses, head injuries and any previous vestibular testing or therapy.
• If possible, arrange for transport — acute vertigo can impair driving or walking safely.
• Bring ear/hearing test reports or imaging if previously performed.

During your visit you can expect:

• A detailed history and targeted neurological and ENT examination.
• Bedside maneuvers like the Dix-Hallpike test; these may provoke brief vertigo and nystagmus.
• Referral for vestibular testing (VNG/ENG, vHIT) or imaging if indicated.
• A clear treatment plan: immediate maneuvers, short-term medications, and if necessary, a structured vestibular rehabilitation program.

Many patients ask about vertigo treatment cost Amritsar or vestibular rehabilitation cost Amritsar. Costs vary depending on tests and number of therapy sessions; Livasa Amritsar provides cost estimates at the first consultation and works with families to plan affordable care pathways.