Dizziness is a common health concern that can affect balance, movement, and everyday activities. Some people experience a spinning sensation, while others feel lightheaded, unsteady, or as though they might faint. These symptoms may occur suddenly or develop gradually, sometimes making simple activities such as walking, driving, or standing difficult.
Consulting a Dizziness doctor in Mumbai can help identify the underlying cause and determine the most appropriate treatment. Dr. Shama Kovale, an experienced ENT surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, provides specialised evaluation and management of dizziness, vertigo, and balance-related disorders.
What Is Dizziness?
Dizziness is a broad term describing sensations of lightheadedness, imbalance, faintness, or spinning. It is not a disease itself but a symptom that may develop due to several medical conditions.
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness in which a person feels that they or their surroundings are spinning or moving despite remaining stationary.
The inner ear plays an important role in maintaining balance. Problems affecting the vestibular system, which includes structures within the inner ear, can interfere with the brain’s ability to interpret movement and body position.
However, dizziness can also result from cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, or medication-related conditions.
Common Causes of Dizziness and Vertigo
Understanding the cause of dizziness is essential for selecting effective treatment.
1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a common inner ear disorder caused by displaced calcium carbonate crystals entering the semicircular canals. It typically causes brief episodes of spinning dizziness when changing head positions, such as turning in bed or looking upward.
2. Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis involves inflammation or dysfunction of the vestibular nerve. It can cause sudden, prolonged vertigo, nausea, and balance difficulties.
3. Ménière’s Disease
Ménière’s disease is an inner ear disorder associated with episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the affected ear.
4. Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis affects the inner ear and may cause dizziness, vertigo, hearing difficulties, and balance problems.
5. Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular migraine can cause episodes of dizziness or vertigo, sometimes accompanied by headaches, sensitivity to light, or nausea.
6. Other Medical Conditions
Low blood pressure, dehydration, anaemia, low blood sugar, certain medications, and neurological conditions may also contribute to dizziness.
Symptoms That Require Medical Attention
Dizziness may occur alongside several other symptoms, including:
- A spinning or rotating sensation.
- Difficulty maintaining balance while walking.
- Nausea or vomiting during vertigo episodes.
- Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears.
- Temporary hearing changes or ear fullness.
- Lightheadedness when standing suddenly.
- Unsteadiness or difficulty concentrating.
Seek emergency medical care if dizziness occurs with sudden weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, double vision, a severe new headache, chest pain, fainting, or an inability to walk. These symptoms may indicate a serious condition requiring immediate assessment.
When Should You Consult a Dizziness Doctor in Mumbai?
Occasional mild dizziness may resolve with rest or hydration. However, persistent, recurring, or unexplained episodes should not be ignored.
An ENT consultation may be appropriate when dizziness is associated with spinning sensations, hearing changes, tinnitus, or suspected inner ear problems.
A specialist evaluates the pattern, duration, triggers, and associated symptoms to determine whether the condition originates from the vestibular system or requires assessment by another medical specialist.
Early evaluation can help reduce repeated episodes and prevent complications such as falls.
How Is Dizziness Diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis involves a detailed clinical assessment rather than relying on symptoms alone.
Medical History and Physical Examination
The doctor reviews the frequency, duration, and triggers of dizziness, along with medical history and medication use.
Balance and Positional Tests
Specific clinical examinations, including the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre, may help identify positional vertigo.
Hearing Evaluation
Audiometry may be recommended when dizziness occurs with hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear-related symptoms.
Vestibular Testing
Selected patients may require videonystagmography or other vestibular assessments to evaluate balance-system function.
Imaging Investigations
MRI or other imaging tests may be advised when symptoms suggest a neurological cause or when the diagnosis remains uncertain.
Not every patient requires every investigation. Testing is selected according to individual clinical findings.
Treatment Options for Dizziness and Vertigo
Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis, symptom severity, and overall health.
Canalith Repositioning Manoeuvres: BPPV is commonly treated using repositioning techniques such as the Epley manoeuvre, which help move displaced inner ear crystals.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy: Specialised exercises can improve balance, coordination, and the brain’s ability to compensate for vestibular dysfunction.
Medications: Short-term medicines may be prescribed for severe nausea or vertigo in selected conditions. Long-term use of vestibular suppressants is generally avoided unless specifically indicated.
Lifestyle Modifications: Adequate hydration, regular sleep, and identifying migraine triggers may help manage certain causes of dizziness.
Condition-Specific Treatment: Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine, and other disorders may require additional medical management.
Consulting an experienced Dizziness doctor in Mumbai helps ensure that treatment is directed towards the underlying cause rather than simply suppressing symptoms.
About Dr. Shama Kovale – ENT Specialist in Mumbai
Dr. Shama Kovale is a Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon associated with Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri West, Mumbai. She has over 23 years of clinical experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, throat, voice, swallowing, and related disorders.
Qualifications and Professional Experience
Dr. Shama Kovale‘s medical qualifications include MBBS, Diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (DLO), and MS in ENT.
Her professional experience includes advanced training in laryngology, voice and swallowing disorders, cochlear implantation, and endoscopic ENT procedures.
She also heads the Voice and Swallowing Centre at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
As an experienced ENT Doctor in Mumbai, Dr. Shama Kovale evaluates patients with ear-related complaints, including vertigo, hearing difficulties, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
Clinical Expertise
Her areas of expertise include:
- Evaluation and management of dizziness and vertigo.
- Diagnosis of inner ear and balance disorders.
- Treatment of chronic ear infections and hearing problems.
- Ear microsurgery and cochlear implantation.
- Endoscopic ENT procedures.
- Voice, swallowing, and airway disorder management.
Her approach emphasises careful examination, appropriate diagnostic testing, and individualised treatment planning.
Hospital Environment and Patient Care
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital offers a multidisciplinary healthcare environment with specialist consultations, diagnostic facilities, and access to supporting medical departments.
Patients experiencing dizziness can receive clinical assessment and, when indicated, referrals for audiological, vestibular, neurological, or other investigations.
Dr. Shama Kovale focuses on identifying possible causes, explaining treatment options, and providing follow-up guidance.
Tips to Manage Dizziness Safely
People experiencing recurrent dizziness should take precautions to minimise injuries and discomfort.
- Sit or lie down when dizziness begins.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery during episodes.
- Stand up slowly after sitting or lying down.
- Maintain adequate hydration.
- Use handrails or support when walking if balance is affected.
- Avoid sudden head movements if they trigger symptoms.
- Follow prescribed exercises and medications.
- Attend follow-up consultations when symptoms persist.
These measures may improve safety but do not replace medical evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which doctor should I consult for dizziness and vertigo?
An ENT specialist is appropriate when dizziness may be related to the inner ear or balance system. Depending on the symptoms, a neurologist, cardiologist, or general physician may also be required.
2. Can vertigo be permanently cured?
Some causes, such as BPPV, often respond well to repositioning manoeuvres, although recurrence is possible. Other conditions may require ongoing treatment to control symptoms.
3. How long does dizziness treatment take?
Recovery varies according to the cause. Some patients improve after a single repositioning session, while others require several weeks of rehabilitation or longer-term medical management.
4. Is dizziness always caused by an ear problem?
No. Dizziness may also result from dehydration, blood pressure changes, migraine, medication effects, neurological conditions, or other medical problems. Proper diagnosis is essential.
Book an Appointment with Dr. Shama Kovale
Are frequent dizziness episodes, vertigo, or balance problems affecting your everyday life? Consult Dr. Shama Kovale for a detailed ENT examination and personalised treatment recommendations.
Contact Details:
+91 91528 50769
drshamakovaleent@gmail.com
Get Directions to the Clinic – Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital