Vertigo is a condition that makes you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, even when there is no actual movement. It is most commonly caused by problems in the inner ear, but conditions affecting the brain or nerves can also lead to vertigo. The right treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, repositioning manoeuvres, balance therapy or, in some cases, surgery.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, our experts use advanced diagnostic tests to diagnose the cause of vertigo. We then create personalised treatment plans to help relieve symptoms and improve balance.
Vertigo is a symptom that causes a false sensation of movement. You may feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning, swaying or moving, even when there is no actual movement. It is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the body's balance system.
Your sense of balance depends on your inner ear, eyes, muscles, joints and brain working together. These parts constantly send signals to your brain about your body's position and movement. When these signals become mixed, your brain interprets them as movement, creating the sensation of vertigo.
Vertigo is most commonly caused by problems in the inner ear. However, conditions affecting the vestibular nerve or brain can also cause vertigo. Identifying the underlying cause is important because the treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms.
Vertigo is broadly classified into two main types: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo. Knowing the type of vertigo helps doctors identify its cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Peripheral vertigo is the most common type and accounts for most cases of vertigo. It develops when there is a problem in the inner ear or the vestibular nerve, which carries balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. Because the inner ear plays a key role in maintaining balance, even a minor problem can cause spinning sensations, dizziness and difficulty walking.
Common causes of peripheral vertigo include:
Central vertigo is less common but may be more serious. It occurs when conditions affecting the brain interfere with the body's balance system. These may include a stroke, brain tumour, brain infection, multiple sclerosis or traumatic brain injury.
People with central vertigo may have more severe symptoms than those with peripheral vertigo. In addition to spinning sensations, they may experience difficulty walking, poor coordination, double vision or other neurological symptoms. Since central vertigo can sometimes be linked to serious medical conditions, it requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment.
Vertigo symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause. Some people experience mild episodes occasionally, while others may struggle with frequent or severe symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms include:
Symptoms may worsen when you:
You should seek immediate medical attention if vertigo occurs with:
These symptoms may indicate a serious medical emergency, such as a stroke.
Identifying the exact cause is very important because treatment depends on where the problem is coming from.
Most cases of vertigo (around 70–80%) are caused by problems in the inner ear. The inner ear contains the balance system, also called the vestibular system, which helps the brain understand movement and gravity.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become loose and move into the wrong part of the ear canals. This confuses the brain and leads to short episodes of strong spinning sensations. It is usually triggered by head movements such as:
Ménière’s Disease
Ménière’s disease is a long-term inner ear condition caused by excess fluid buildup inside the inner ear. It can lead to:
Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, usually due to a viral infection. It typically causes:
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is similar to vestibular neuritis, but it affects both balance and hearing structures of the inner ear. It can cause:
The vestibular nerve carries balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. Any problem affecting this nerve can lead to vertigo.
Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
This is a non-cancerous (benign) tumour that grows slowly on the vestibular nerve. As it grows, it can press on the nerve and nearby structures, leading to:
Nerve Compression
In some cases, blood vessels may press on the vestibular nerve. This can disturb balance signals and cause episodes of vertigo or dizziness.
Central vertigo occurs when there is a problem in the brain, especially in areas that control balance, such as the brainstem or cerebellum. These cases are less common but can be more serious.
Stroke or TIA
Reduced blood flow to the brain can affect balance centres and cause sudden vertigo.
It may also include:
Vestibular Migraine
This is a type of migraine that causes vertigo with or without a headache. It is linked to abnormal brain activity during migraine attacks.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
In MS, the protective covering of nerves is damaged. If this affects balance-related pathways in the brain, it can cause recurring or long-lasting vertigo.
Brain Tumours
Tumours in the back part of the brain (cerebellum or brainstem) can affect balance control and lead to vertigo along with coordination problems.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, we know that successful treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. Our experts take time to understand your symptoms in detail. We may ask questions such as:
We then perform a thorough physical and neurological examination. Depending on your symptoms, we may recommend:
These tests help us determine whether your symptoms are related to the inner ear, nerves, brain, or cervical spine.
There is no single treatment that works for everyone. The best treatment for vertigo depends on the underlying cause. Our experts create a personalised care plan based on your symptoms, diagnosis, age, and overall health.
Repositioning Manoeuvres
If you have BPPV, we may perform repositioning manoeuvres, such as the Epley manoeuvre. These simple head movements help move displaced calcium crystals back into their correct position. Many people experience relief after one or two sessions.
Medications
Medicines can help manage symptoms such as:
We may also prescribe medications to treat conditions such as Ménière's disease or vestibular migraine.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy uses targeted exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness. These exercises help your brain adapt to changes in the balance system.
This treatment of vertigo in adults is especially useful for people with recurring or long-term symptoms. Our rehabilitation programmes are tailored to each person's needs and recovery goals.
Cervical Vertigo Treatment
If your symptoms are linked to neck problems, our experts may recommend:
Treating the underlying neck condition often helps reduce symptoms.
Lifestyle and Self-Care Measures
Simple changes can make a significant difference. We may advise you to:
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is rarely needed for vertigo. We only consider surgery when symptoms are severe, persistent, and do not improve with other treatments. Our specialists carefully evaluate every case before recommending surgical intervention.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, we provide comprehensive care for people with balance disorders. We understand that vertigo affects more than just your physical health. It can impact your confidence, mobility, work, and daily routine. Here's why patients trust us for vertigo treatment in Jaipur:
Our goal is not just to control symptoms. We aim to identify the root cause and help you return to your daily activities safely and confidently.
Some mild cases, especially those caused by viral infections or BPPV, may improve on their own. However, frequent or severe symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.
Diagnosis may include physical examinations, balance assessments, hearing tests, positional tests, vestibular function tests, and imaging scans such as MRI or CT.
Yes. Most cases of vertigo are linked to inner ear conditions, including BPPV, Ménière's disease, and vestibular neuritis.
In some cases, vertigo may be caused by conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumours. Seek immediate medical attention if you have additional neurological symptoms.
The duration varies depending on the cause. Episodes may last for a few seconds, several minutes, or even several hours.
Stress and anxiety do not directly cause vertigo, but they can worsen symptoms and increase the frequency of episodes.
Sleeping with your head slightly elevated and avoiding sudden position changes may help reduce symptoms. Our experts may suggest specific sleeping positions based on your diagnosis.
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