Balance Disorder Treatment in Mumbai: Expert Care by Dr. Shama Kovale
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, or as though the room is spinning can affect your confidence and ability to carry out everyday activities. Balance problems may make walking difficult, cause nausea, or create a fear of falling. While occasional dizziness can have several explanations, persistent or recurring symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional.
The body’s balance system depends on coordination between the inner ear, eyes, sensory nerves, and brain. When one or more of these systems does not function properly, a person may experience dizziness, vertigo, or difficulty maintaining stability.
Seeking balance disorder treatment in mumbai can help identify the underlying cause of these symptoms and determine the most appropriate care. Dr. Shama Kovale, Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri West, specialises in ENT conditions, including vertigo and vestibular disorders.
What Is a Balance Disorder?
A balance disorder is a condition that affects your ability to maintain a steady posture or understand your body’s position and movement. It can occur when signals from the inner ear, vision, and nervous system do not work together effectively.
Common symptoms include:
A spinning sensation, known as vertigo
Feeling light-headed or unsteady
Difficulty walking in a straight line
Loss of balance while turning or changing position
Nausea or vomiting associated with dizziness
Blurred vision or difficulty focusing during movement
A sensation of being pulled to one side
Some people experience symptoms for a few seconds, while others may have recurring or prolonged episodes. The pattern, duration, and associated symptoms can help a doctor identify which investigations may be necessary.
Common Causes of Balance Disorders
Understanding the cause is an important first step towards effective treatment. Several conditions can affect balance.
1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a common inner-ear condition caused by tiny calcium crystals moving into the wrong part of the vestibular system. It can trigger brief episodes of spinning when turning in bed, looking upwards, or bending down.
Treatment may involve specific head and body movements, such as the Epley manoeuvre, to guide the crystals back into the appropriate position.
2. Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
Vestibular neuritis involves inflammation affecting the vestibular nerve, which helps transmit balance information to the brain. Labyrinthitis affects structures within the inner ear and may also involve hearing symptoms.
Both conditions can cause significant dizziness and difficulty walking. Treatment depends on the diagnosis, symptom severity, and stage of illness.
3. Ménière’s Disease
Ménière’s disease is an inner-ear disorder that may cause episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. Management may involve lifestyle measures, medication, and follow-up based on the individual’s symptoms.
4. Vestibular Migraine
Some people experience dizziness or vertigo associated with migraine, even without a prominent headache. Identifying migraine triggers and receiving appropriate medical treatment may help manage these episodes.
5. Neurological or Other Medical Conditions
Not all balance disorders originate in the ear. Neurological conditions, certain medications, blood pressure changes, vision problems, and other medical issues can also contribute to dizziness or unsteadiness. A careful assessment helps determine whether an ENT evaluation alone is sufficient or whether another specialist should be involved.
How Are Balance Disorders Diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis is essential because different causes of dizziness require different treatments. During a consultation, the doctor may ask about the onset, duration, and frequency of symptoms, along with any hearing changes, headaches, recent infections, medications, or previous episodes.
Depending on the findings, Dr. Shama Kovale’s vertigo evaluation may include specialised investigations available through the hospital’s ENT and audiology services.
Video-Nystagmography (VNG): This test records eye movements to help assess the function of the balance system. Certain eye movement patterns can provide clues about the source of dizziness.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP): This test evaluates specific reflex pathways associated with the vestibular system and can help investigate selected inner-ear disorders.
Computerised Dynamic Posturography (CDP): This assessment examines how effectively a person maintains balance under different sensory conditions.
Hearing and other vestibular tests: Depending on symptoms, tests such as BERA or electrocochleography may be considered. Imaging or neurological assessment may be recommended when the clinical findings suggest a non-ear-related cause.
Not every patient requires every test. Investigations are selected according to symptoms, examination findings, and clinical judgement.
Treatment Options for Balance Disorders
Treatment is tailored to the underlying diagnosis rather than dizziness alone.
Canalith repositioning: Specific manoeuvres may help treat BPPV by moving displaced crystals within the inner ear.
Vestibular rehabilitation: A structured exercise programme may help improve balance, gaze stability, coordination, and confidence during movement.
Medication: Depending on the condition, medicines may be used to manage selected symptoms or treat a specific underlying cause. Some dizziness-suppressing medicines are unsuitable for prolonged use.
Lifestyle and dietary guidance: People with certain vestibular conditions may benefit from individualised advice about hydration, sleep, dietary triggers, or activity.
Further specialist care: If symptoms suggest a neurological condition or another medical problem, additional assessment may be necessary.
Recovery varies according to the cause, severity, and response to treatment. Follow-up helps the doctor monitor progress and adjust the management plan when needed.
Why Consult Dr. Shama Kovale at Kokilaben Hospital?
Dr. Shama Kovale holds an MBBS, DLO, and MS in ENT from B.Y.L. Nair Hospital and Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai. Her additional training includes a fellowship in phonosurgery at Bombay Hospital, cochlear implant surgery training, and advanced voice and swallowing training at UC Davis, California, USA.
With more than 23 years of ENT experience, she has worked with established medical institutions and developed expertise across ear, nose, throat, voice, swallowing, and related disorders. Her clinical interests also include vertigo and balance conditions.
At Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, patients can access specialist ENT consultations and relevant diagnostic services within a multidisciplinary hospital setting. The hospital’s vertigo clinic offers specialised vestibular testing and rehabilitation services when clinically indicated.
People searching for the Best ENT in Mumbai can consult Dr. Kovale for an assessment of dizziness, vertigo, and related ear symptoms. Patients looking for ENT Specialists Near Me in Mumbai should consider the doctor’s experience, available diagnostic facilities, and the suitability of the proposed treatment for their individual condition.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Do not ignore recurring dizziness, frequent falls, new hearing changes, or persistent difficulty maintaining balance.
Seek emergency medical attention if sudden dizziness or loss of balance occurs with symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, double vision, a severe sudden headache, or inability to walk. These may indicate a serious neurological emergency.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Consult Dr. Shama Kovale at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for timely evaluation and expert hearing care.
Give Us a Ring: +91-91528 50769
Email: drshamakovaleent@gmail.com
Book a consultation to discuss your symptoms, understand the possible causes, and explore an appropriate care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes balance disorders?
Balance disorders may result from inner-ear conditions such as BPPV or Ménière’s disease, vestibular nerve problems, vestibular migraine, medication effects, or neurological and other medical conditions. Diagnosis depends on the symptoms and clinical assessment.
2. Can balance disorders be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many balance conditions can be managed with repositioning manoeuvres, vestibular rehabilitation, medication when appropriate, and lifestyle guidance. Surgery is considered only in selected cases when the underlying condition warrants it.
3. Which tests help diagnose vertigo and balance problems?
Depending on the suspected cause, a doctor may recommend VNG, VEMP, computerised dynamic posturography, hearing tests, or other investigations. Some patients may need imaging or neurological evaluation.
4. When should I consult an ENT specialist for dizziness?
Consult an ENT specialist if dizziness or vertigo recurs, affects walking, or occurs with hearing changes, tinnitus, or ear fullness. Seek emergency care if dizziness begins suddenly with neurological warning signs.
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