What is Vertigo? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Explained by Top ENT Specialist in Kolkata

What is Vertigo? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Explained by Top ENT Specialists in Kolkata | Vivekananda ENT Clinic

Vertigo is more than just dizziness—it’s a sensation where you or your surroundings seem to spin or tilt. If you’re experiencing symptoms like nausea, loss of balance, or ringing in the ears, you might be dealing with vertigo. At Vivekananda ENT Clinic, Kolkata, our expert vertigo specialist Dr. Pinaki Mazumder offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment to bring you relief. Keep reading to understand what vertigo is, its causes, symptoms, and why early medical attention is crucial.

Vertigo Clinic | Vertigo Specialist in Kolkata | Vivekananda ENT Clinic

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom of an underlying health issue, not a condition itself. It creates a sensation of spinning, swaying, or feeling off balance. Vertigo differs from dizziness, which feels like light-headedness or the sensation of fainting.

Types of Vertigo

  • Peripheral Vertigo: The most common type caused by inner ear or vestibular nerve issues.
  • Central Vertigo: Less common and caused by brain-related problems like strokes or tumors.

Vertigo Causes

Vertigo is often caused by problems in the inner ear or brain. The most common vertigo causes include:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Small calcium crystals (canaliths) become dislodged in the inner ear, causing balance problems.
  • Meniere’s Disease: Fluid buildup in the inner ear leads to vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Viral infections causing inflammation of the inner ear or nerves responsible for balance.
  • Acoustic Neuroma: A benign tumor on the auditory nerve.
  • Ototoxicity: Damage caused by certain medications.

Other causes include migraine headaches, head or neck injuries, stroke or brain tumors, prolonged bed rest, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, consult a vertigo specialist in Kolkata, like Dr. Mazumder at Vivekananda ENT Clinic, for expert diagnosis.

Vertigo Symptoms

Symptoms vary in severity and duration but often include:

  • Sensation of spinning or tilting.
  • Loss of balance or unsteadiness.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
  • Hearing loss in one or both ears.
  • Nystagmus (uncontrollable eye movements).
  • Headaches or sweating.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosing vertigo involves a detailed medical history and specific tests, such as:

  • Audiometric Testing: Evaluates hearing levels and balance.
  • Head Impulse Test: Tests eye movement in response to head motion.
  • MRI or CT Scans: Identifies brain or nerve issues.
  • Fukuda-Unterberger Test: Assesses balance.
  • Vestibular Tests: Determines if vertigo is due to inner ear or brain issues.

At Vivekananda ENT Clinic, Kolkata, our cutting-edge diagnostic tools help identify the root cause of your vertigo for accurate treatment.

Vertigo Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of vertigo. Options include:

Repositioning Maneuvers

Techniques like the Epley maneuver reposition dislodged calcium crystals causing BPPV. These are safe and highly effective when performed by a vertigo specialist.

Medications

Antihistamines or motion sickness medicines to manage symptoms like nausea. Steroids or antibiotics to treat infections or inflammation.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Physical therapy exercises strengthen the vestibular system, improving balance and reducing vertigo episodes.

Surgery

Rare but may be needed for conditions like acoustic neuromas or severe inner ear damage.

Lifestyle Modifications

  • Sleeping with your head elevated.
  • Moving slowly to avoid triggering vertigo episodes.
  • Avoiding known triggers like loud noise or stress.

For personalized vertigo treatment, visit Vivekananda ENT Clinic in Kolkata.

Why Choose Vivekananda ENT Clinic in Kolkata?

  • Expert Care: Led by Dr. Pinaki Mazumder, a renowned ENT doctor in Kolkata with years of experience in treating vertigo.
  • Comprehensive Diagnosis: Advanced tools and techniques for accurate results.
  • Specialized Treatments: Repositioning maneuvers, intratympanic injections, and more.
  • Patient-Centered Approach: Personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

When searching for the best ENT doctor near me or the top ENT specialist in Kolkata, Vivekananda ENT Clinic is your trusted destination.

When Should You See a Vertigo Specialist?

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Sudden or severe vertigo.
  • Persistent dizziness or spinning sensation.
  • Hearing loss or ringing in the ears.
  • Nausea and vomiting that doesn’t subside.
  • Difficulty walking or balancing.

Dr. Pinaki Mazumder, the top ENT specialist in Kolkata, specializes in diagnosing and treating vertigo and related disorders.

Conclusion

Vertigo can disrupt your daily life, but with the right care, you can find relief. At Vivekananda ENT Clinic in Kolkata, we offer world-class diagnosis and treatment for vertigo. Book your appointment with Dr. Pinaki Mazumder, a trusted vertigo specialist in Kolkata, and regain control of your balance and quality of life.

If you’re struggling with vertigo symptoms, visit Vivekananda ENT Clinic, Kolkata, or call us to book your appointment today!

What Causes Sudden Deafness?

What Causes Sudden Deafness | Sudden Sensory Neural Deafness | Vivekananda ENT Clinic

Sudden deafness, also known as Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), is a medical emergency characterized by rapid loss of hearing in one or both ears within a 72-hour period. Often idiopathic (cause unknown), it can occur instantly or over a few days. If you’re searching for the best care, Dr. Pinaki Mazumder at Vivekananda ENT Clinic, Kolkata, specializes in diagnosing and treating this condition with precision.

What Causes Sudden Deafness | Sudden Sensory Neural Deafness | Vivekananda ENT Clinic | Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

What is Sudden Sensorineural Deafness?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as a hearing loss greater than 30 decibels in three contiguous pure-tone frequencies that occurs within three days. This type of deafness is most commonly unilateral (affecting one ear), though bilateral cases are rare. Symptoms often include:

  • Muffled or faint sound perception.
  • Dizziness or vertigo.
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

If left untreated, sudden deafness may lead to permanent hearing loss. Early diagnosis by an ENT doctor near you, like Dr. Pinaki Mazumder in Kolkata, significantly improves outcomes.

What Causes Sudden Deafness?

While 90% of SSNHL cases are idiopathic, several potential causes have been identified, including:

  1. Viral Infections: Viruses such as herpes simplex can cause inflammation in the cochlea (viral cochleitis), disrupting hearing function. Post-viral infections like the flu are also linked to SSNHL.
  2. Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions where the immune system attacks inner ear cells, causing swelling or blood flow blockages.
  3. Vascular Events: Blockages or reduced blood flow to the inner ear due to conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
  4. Acoustic Trauma or Neuromas: Sudden exposure to loud noise or the presence of tumors near the auditory nerve can result in hearing loss.
  5. Other Causes:
    • Lyme disease.
    • Multiple sclerosis.
    • Ototoxic medications.

Regardless of the cause, a visit to a top ENT specialist in Kolkata, like Dr. Mazumder, can provide clarity and initiate treatment immediately.

Diagnosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

Proper diagnosis requires:

  • Audiometric Testing: Determines the severity of hearing loss.
  • MRI Scans: Identifies structural issues like neuromas or other abnormalities.
  • Blood and Balance Tests: Helps rule out infections, autoimmune diseases, or vascular issues.

Dr. Mazumder’s vertigo and deafness clinic in Kolkata offers comprehensive diagnostic services to ensure no underlying cause is missed.

Treatment Options for Sudden Deafness

Early treatment is critical for recovery. Delay in intervention often results in poor prognosis. Common treatments include:

1. Corticosteroids:

  • Oral or Parenteral Steroids: Traditional methods, though systemic delivery may not reach the inner ear in sufficient quantities.
  • Intratympanic Steroid Injections: Administered endoscopically, this method delivers higher steroid concentrations directly to the inner ear fluids. Typically, 3–4 injections are spaced over 3–7 days.

2. Hearing Aids or Implants:

If hearing recovery is incomplete, devices like hearing aids or cochlear implants can improve quality of life.

3. Alternative Treatments:

Diatrizoate meglumine or hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered in certain cases.

Dr. Pinaki Mazumder, a renowned otolaryngologist near you, specializes in administering intratympanic injections, making Vivekananda ENT Clinic a trusted destination for SSNHL treatment.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Treatment must be started within two weeks of the onset of SSNHL for optimal results. Beyond this window, recovery rates diminish significantly. Patients with diabetes or other conditions where systemic steroids are contraindicated can benefit exclusively from intratympanic steroid injections at Dr. Mazumder’s clinic.

Who is at Risk for Sudden Deafness?

Sudden deafness is more common in individuals aged 45–55 and equally affects men and women. Common risk factors include:

  • Viral or bacterial infections.
  • Autoimmune conditions.
  • Vascular disorders like diabetes or high blood pressure.

If you suspect SSNHL, don’t delay in consulting a vertigo specialist in Kolkata for expert care.

When Should You Visit an ENT Specialist?

You should consult an ENT doctor in Kolkata if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Sudden or rapid loss of hearing.
  • Persistent dizziness or vertigo.
  • Ringing in the ears.
  • Feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear.

Dr. Mazumder, a top ENT specialist in Kolkata, is renowned for his expertise in diagnosing and treating sudden deafness and related disorders.

Why Choose Vivekananda ENT Clinic?

At Vivekananda ENT Clinic, Kolkata, we provide:

  • Expert Care: Led by Dr. Pinaki Mazumder, a trusted ENT specialist.
  • Advanced Diagnostics: State-of-the-art testing for hearing and balance disorders.
  • Specialized Treatments: Intratympanic steroid injections and personalized care plans.

Conveniently located in Kolkata, Vivekananda ENT Clinic is the go-to destination for individuals searching for “ENT doctor near me” or “vertigo and deafness clinic.”