Dizziness and Vertigo

They range from feeling lightheaded or off-balance to a sudden spinning feeling that makes it seem like the world around you is whirling. Our neurology specialists at HealthHub Clinics in Dubai know these symptoms are disruptive, so we’re here to find the cause and guide you toward effective relief so you can regain stability. The Vertigo Clinic in HealthHub offers specialized care and treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.

What Are Dizziness and Vertigo?

Dizziness is a general feeling of being off-balance or lightheaded – you may feel woozy or as if you might faint. Vertigois a specific kind of dizziness – a false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning.

Common Symptoms

Dizziness and vertigo can show up in a few different ways. You may experience:

Spinning sensation: A feeling that you or the environment is spinning or tilting.
Lightheadedness: Feeling faint, woozy, or as if you might pass out.
Loss of balance: Difficulty staying steady on your feet, which can lead to staggering or falls.
Nausea or vomiting: An upset stomach or vomiting often accompanies more intense vertigo.
Ear-related issues: Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or muffled hearing, especially when inner ear problems are the cause.

These symptoms can be alarming, but noting when and how they happen will help with diagnosis. Pay attention to what triggers your dizziness (such as standing up quickly, turning your head, or being in certain positions) and any other symptoms that occur with it. This information helps the doctor figure out whether the cause is likely in the inner ear, the brain, or elsewhere.

Causes of Dizziness and Vertigo

There are many possible causes. Typically, they are divided into two categories: peripheral causes (issues in the inner ear or vestibular nerve) and central causes (issues in the brain or nervous system).

Peripheral Causes (Inner Ear)

Peripheral vertigo results from problems in the inner ear balance system. Common examples include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Brief, intense spinning episodes triggered by certain head movements, caused by tiny calcium crystals shifting into the wrong part of the inner ear.
Vestibular neuritis (labyrinthitis): A sudden, severe vertigo attack due to inflammation of the vestibular nerve (often from a viral infection). It can last hours or days and may be accompanied by nausea and, if the inner ear is involved, some hearing loss.
Meniere’s disease: An inner ear disorder involving fluid buildup. It causes episodes of vertigo along with ringing in the ear, a feeling of fullness, and fluctuating hearing loss.

Central Causes (Brain)

Central vertigo is dizziness originating from the brain or nerve pathways. Common examples include:

Migrainous vertigo: In some people, a migraine attack triggers vertigo even if there’s no severe headache. The vertigo can last minutes to hours and may include sensitivity to light or sound.
Stroke or TIA: A stroke or transient ischemic attack in the balance centers of the brain can cause sudden vertigo and loss of balance. It often comes with other symptoms like double vision, difficulty speaking, or weakness in part of the body.

Dizziness can affect anyone, but certain factors increase the risk. Older adults, people with a history of migraines or inner ear disorders are more prone to vertigo. Anxiety can also trigger dizzy spells.

Diagnosis

To pinpoint the cause of your dizziness or vertigo, our specialists will perform a thorough evaluation, which may include:

Medical history: Discussion of your symptoms (what you feel, how long it lasts, what triggers it) and your health history (e.g. past migraines, ear issues, medications).
Physical exam: Checking your balance, eye movements, and reflexes. We may do a Dix-Hallpike positional test – moving you quickly into certain positions – to see if it provokes vertigo (useful for diagnosing BPPV).
Hearing test: Assessing your hearing to determine if an inner ear disorder is contributing to your dizziness.
Imaging: If a brain-related cause is suspected, an MRI or CT scan may be ordered to look for issues like a stroke or tumor.
Lab tests: Blood tests to rule out problems such as anemia, thyroid imbalance, or vitamin deficiencies that could be linked to dizziness.

Treatment

Treatment for dizziness and vertigo focuses on relieving symptoms while addressing the underlying cause. Depending on the cause, your personalized treatment plan may include a combination of:

Canalith repositioning (Epley maneuver): A specific set of head movements performed to treat BPPV by repositioning loose inner ear crystals. It’s done in the clinic and often provides quick relief for positional vertigo.
Medications: Certain medications can ease dizziness, nausea, or the condition triggering your vertigo. We might use vestibular suppressants or anti-nausea drugs to control symptoms during acute attacks. If there’s inner ear inflammation, a short course of steroids can help.
Vestibular rehabilitation: A form of physical therapy for the balance system. A physiotherapist guides you through exercises to improve balance and help your brain adapt. This therapy can greatly reduce persistent dizziness and speed up recovery.
Lifestyle adjustments: We’ll also provide practical tips to help you manage or prevent symptoms. Stand up slowly, stay hydrated, and avoid sudden head movements that might trigger vertigo. Depending on your condition, we may advise specific diet changes or suggest relaxation techniques to manage stress. With the right treatment and a few precautions, most people see a big improvement – often a complete resolution – of their dizziness or vertigo.

Why Choose HealthHub Clinics?

Extensive Experience
Advanced Facilities
Affordable premium services
Trusted Al-Futtaim brand

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I see a doctor about dizziness or vertigo?

It’s advisable to see a doctor if you have frequent or worsening dizziness/vertigo, or if it interferes with daily life. You should seek medical care promptly if you also experience red-flag symptoms like trouble walking, falling, severe headache, hearing loss, double vision or chest pain. And if a vertigo episode is extremely intense or lasts more than a few minutes, it’s wise to get it checked out.

Can vertigo be cured?

Often it can – but it depends on the cause. Many cases of vertigo are very treatable and may not return once the underlying issue is addressed. For example, BPPV can usually be completely resolved with repositioning maneuvers, and vertigo from an inner ear infection typically goes away after proper treatment. Some conditions like Meniere’s disease or vestibular migraines are chronic, but the symptoms can be managed and greatly reduced with the right care.

What should I do when I feel dizzy or have a vertigo attack?

If you suddenly feel dizzy or a vertigo spell coming on, prioritize safety: sit or lie down immediately to prevent falls. If the room is spinning, try to keep your eyes open and focus on a fixed object. Move slowly when changing positions (like standing up or turning your head). Make sure to drink water, since dehydration can make dizziness worse. Also, follow any advice your doctor has given you – for example, doing specific balance exercises at home or avoiding certain movements or foods that trigger your vertigo. These steps can help you get through an episode more safely.