Vertigo Specialist Doctor in Mumbai: Diagnosis and Treatment by Dr. Shama Kovale
Have you ever experienced a sudden spinning sensation, felt unsteady while walking, or struggled with dizziness when turning your head? These symptoms may indicate vertigo, a condition that can affect balance, mobility, and everyday activities. Although vertigo is often associated with inner ear problems, it can also have other causes that require medical evaluation.
Consulting a vertigo specialist doctor in mumbai can help identify the underlying cause of dizziness and determine an appropriate treatment plan. Dr. Shama Kovale, an experienced ENT specialist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, provides evaluation and care for patients experiencing vertigo and balance-related concerns.
Understanding vertigo, recognising its symptoms, and seeking timely medical attention can help patients manage their condition and work towards improved balance and quality of life.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. People commonly describe it as spinning, tilting, swaying, or feeling as though the floor is moving beneath their feet.
The body’s balance system relies on signals from the inner ear, eyes, muscles, joints, and brain. When these signals do not work together properly, dizziness and balance disturbances can occur.
Vertigo may last for a few seconds, several minutes, or longer, depending on its cause. Some people experience symptoms only when changing head positions, while others have persistent dizziness that interferes with daily activities.
An accurate diagnosis is important because different causes of vertigo require different approaches to treatment.
Common Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo can affect individuals differently. Common symptoms include:
A spinning sensation when turning the head or changing position.
Feeling unsteady while standing or walking.
Nausea or vomiting during dizzy episodes.
Difficulty maintaining balance.
Unusual eye movements during an episode.
A sensation of fullness in the ear.
Ringing in the ears or changes in hearing in certain conditions.
Some people also experience headaches, sensitivity to movement, or anxiety related to recurring episodes.
If dizziness is persistent, recurrent, or affecting your ability to perform daily activities, consult a qualified medical professional for assessment.
Important: Sudden dizziness accompanied by difficulty speaking, weakness or numbness on one side, double vision, inability to walk, or a severe sudden headache may indicate a medical emergency, including a stroke. Seek emergency medical care immediately rather than assuming the symptoms are caused by an inner ear problem.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo can develop for several reasons. Identifying the underlying condition is essential for selecting suitable treatment.
1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a common inner ear disorder caused by tiny calcium particles moving into the wrong part of the balance system. It can trigger brief spinning sensations when a person rolls over in bed, looks upward, bends down, or turns the head.
Specific head-positioning manoeuvres can often help reposition these particles and reduce symptoms.
2. Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
Vestibular neuritis involves inflammation affecting the vestibular nerve, which helps transmit balance information from the inner ear to the brain. Labyrinthitis affects the inner ear and may also involve hearing symptoms.
Both conditions can cause significant dizziness and imbalance. Treatment depends on the diagnosis, symptom severity, and stage of the 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 include dietary measures, medication, and other treatments depending on the patient’s symptoms and clinical assessment.
4. Vestibular Migraine
Some people experience vertigo or motion sensitivity associated with migraine, even when a headache is absent during a particular episode. Identifying migraine-related symptoms helps guide appropriate management.
5. Neurological Causes
Although many vertigo cases originate in the inner ear, certain neurological conditions can also cause dizziness and balance disturbances. A careful assessment helps determine whether further neurological investigation is necessary.
How Is Vertigo Diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis begins with a detailed consultation. Your doctor may ask when the symptoms started, how long episodes last, whether particular movements trigger them, and whether you experience hearing changes, headaches, or other symptoms.
Depending on the findings, the evaluation may include:
Medical and symptom history: Understanding the frequency, duration, triggers, and associated symptoms.
Balance and positional testing: Assessing how your body responds to specific movements or positions.
Eye movement assessment: Looking for involuntary eye movements that may provide clues about the cause of vertigo.
Hearing evaluation: Checking for hearing changes when an inner ear disorder is suspected.
Additional investigations: Selected patients may need vestibular function tests, imaging, or referral to another specialist.
Advanced assessments, including video-nystagmography (VNG), vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), or balance testing, may be recommended when clinically appropriate and available.
Not every patient requires every test. The investigations depend on the suspected diagnosis and clinical findings.
Vertigo Treatment Options
Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause rather than treating every episode of dizziness in the same way.
Canal Repositioning Manoeuvres
For BPPV, a clinician may perform a manoeuvre such as the Epley manoeuvre to help move displaced particles to their appropriate location within the inner ear.
Medication
Medication may be prescribed for selected conditions or to manage severe nausea and dizziness for a limited period. The appropriate medicine and duration depend on the diagnosis. Certain medications can interfere with balance recovery when used for too long, so they should only be taken as advised.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation involves specialised exercises designed to improve balance, coordination, and the brain’s ability to adapt to changes in balance signals. It may be useful for persistent dizziness or imbalance in selected patients.
Lifestyle and Condition-Specific Management
Depending on the cause, treatment may include migraine management, dietary adjustments, adequate hydration, and strategies to reduce the risk of falls.
Following a personalised treatment plan and attending follow-up appointments can help monitor progress and address recurring symptoms.
Why Consult Dr. Shama Kovale for Vertigo in Mumbai?
Dr. Shama Kovale is an experienced ENT specialist practising at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute in Andheri West, Mumbai.
Her qualifications include MBBS, DLO, and MS in ENT from B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai. She has over 23 years of clinical and surgical experience and has undertaken advanced training in voice and swallowing disorders at the University of California, Davis, USA, along with specialised training in laryngology and cochlear implant surgery in Mumbai.
Her broader ENT expertise includes ear disorders, hearing-related concerns, balance problems, voice and swallowing conditions, and endoscopic ENT procedures.
At Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, patients have access to a hospital-based clinical environment where specialist evaluation and appropriate investigations can be coordinated according to their needs.
Dr. Kovale’s patient-centred approach emphasises understanding symptoms, explaining available options, and developing an appropriate care plan. People searching for the Best ENT in Mumbai can consider a consultation with an experienced specialist when dizziness or balance problems may be related to the ear.
If you are searching online for ENT Specialists Near Me in Mumbai, choosing a specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and guide further investigations is an important step towards appropriate care.
When Should You See a Vertigo Specialist?
Consider arranging a medical consultation if you experience repeated spinning episodes, persistent imbalance, dizziness triggered by head movements, or vertigo associated with ear fullness, tinnitus, or hearing changes.
Avoid driving, climbing ladders, or operating machinery while dizzy. If your balance is affected, take precautions to prevent falls and ask someone to assist you when necessary.
Do not ignore new or worsening symptoms. Early assessment can help distinguish common inner ear conditions from problems that may need a different form of medical attention.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If vertigo, dizziness, or balance difficulties are affecting your daily routine, seek professional evaluation to understand the possible cause and available treatment options.
Consult Dr. Shama Kovale at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for an assessment of your ENT and balance-related concerns.
Give Us a Ring: +91-91528 50769
Email: drshamakovaleent@gmail.com
Contact the clinic to schedule your consultation and discuss the next steps for your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which doctor should I consult for vertigo in Mumbai?
An ENT specialist can assess vertigo that may be related to the inner ear and balance system. Dr. Shama Kovale consults at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West, Mumbai. Depending on your symptoms, further evaluation by another specialist may also be required.
2. Can vertigo be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many cases of vertigo can be managed without surgery. Depending on the cause, treatment may include repositioning manoeuvres, medication for selected symptoms, vestibular rehabilitation, or lifestyle changes. Surgery is considered only in selected cases when clinically appropriate.
3. How long does vertigo take to improve?
Recovery depends on the underlying cause. Some cases of positional vertigo improve quickly after an appropriate manoeuvre, while other vestibular conditions may take weeks or longer to recover. Persistent symptoms should be reassessed by a healthcare professional.
4. Can vertigo come back after treatment?
Yes. Some conditions, including BPPV, can recur even after successful treatment. If symptoms return, a medical reassessment can help confirm the cause and determine whether further treatment or rehabilitation is needed.
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