Vertigo Symptoms & Treatment

If you feel like the room is spinning around you, you may be experiencing vertigo. But vertigo is not a disease — it is a symptom of an underlying condition. This guide helps you understand what vertigo feels like, what causes it, and when you need to see a doctor in Bangladesh.

What Does Vertigo Feel Like?

Vertigo is a false sense of movement. You may feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning, tilting, or swaying — even when you are perfectly still. This is different from ordinary lightheadedness or feeling faint. Along with the spinning sensation, people often experience:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of balance or unsteadiness
• Difficulty walking straight
• Sweating
• Sometimes hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a feeling of fullness in the ear

Episodes can last from seconds to hours, depending on the cause. If you have these symptoms, the first step is to recognize that vertigo is a clue — not the final diagnosis.

What Causes Vertigo?

There are two main categories of vertigo: peripheral (originating in the inner ear) and central (originating in the brain or brainstem). The most common causes are listed below. Diagnosis by an ENT specialist or neurologist is essential because treatment varies by cause.

Cause	Onset	Duration	Key Feature / Trigger
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)	Sudden	Seconds to <1 minute	Triggered by head movements (rolling over, looking up)
Meniere’s disease	Sudden	20 minutes to several hours	Accompanied by tinnitus, hearing loss, ear fullness
Vestibular neuritis (viral infection of inner ear nerve)	Abrupt	Days to weeks	Severe vertigo without hearing loss; often after a cold
Migraine-associated vertigo	Varies	Minutes to hours	Linked with migraine headache or visual aura

Less common causes include head injury, stroke, or tumors affecting the brainstem. Only a qualified clinician can determine the exact cause.

When Is Vertigo Dangerous?

Most vertigo is not life-threatening, but certain red-flag symptoms signal a medical emergency — especially a stroke. Seek immediate care at a hospital if vertigo is accompanied by any of the following:

• Sudden severe headache (“the worst headache of your life”)
• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
• Facial drooping (one side of the face feels numb or droops)
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body (arm, leg)
• Double vision or sudden vision loss
• Difficulty walking (ataxia) that comes on suddenly
• Chest pain or palpitations

If you have these symptoms, do not wait for an appointment — go to the nearest emergency department. In Bangladesh, major hospitals in Dhaka, Chittagong, and other division capitals can provide urgent stroke evaluation and imaging.

How Is Vertigo Diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a detailed history of your symptoms and a physical examination. The ENT specialist may perform the Dix-Hallpike test — a simple maneuver to trigger vertigo and eye movements (nystagmus) — which is the gold standard for diagnosing BPPV. Other tests may include:

• Audiometry (hearing test): helps detect hearing loss associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues.
• Videonystagmography (VNG): records eye movements to assess balance function.
• MRI or CT scan: used when central causes (like stroke or tumor) are suspected.

Many public and private hospitals in Bangladesh — including those in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet — are equipped with audiometry and imaging facilities. A proper diagnosis before treatment is essential to avoid unnecessary medications or procedures.

What Are the Treatments for Vertigo?

Treatment is entirely based on the underlying cause. Self-medicating with motion-sickness pills (common in Bangladesh) may temporarily suppress the spinning but will not address the root problem.

• BPPV: Treated with the Epley maneuver (canalith repositioning). These head movements guide calcium crystals out of the inner ear canals. A doctor can perform it in the clinic. Home versions carry risks if done incorrectly, so always learn from a professional first.
• Vestibular neuritis: May be managed with anti-inflammatory medications and vestibular suppressants during the acute phase. Recovery often includes vestibular rehabilitation therapy (balance exercises).
• Meniere’s disease: Usually involves a low-sodium diet, reducing stress, and sometimes diuretics to control fluid buildup. For severe cases, ear injections or surgery may be considered.
• Migraine-associated vertigo: Treatment focuses on migraine prevention (lifestyle changes, avoiding triggers, and medications prescribed by a neurologist).

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized exercise program that helps the brain adapt to balance signals. It is available in some rehabilitation centres in Dhaka. Always work with a qualified physiotherapist or ENT specialist trained in VRT.

Find an ENT Specialist in Bangladesh

If you are experiencing vertigo, consulting an ENT (otolaryngologist) is the most appropriate first step for diagnosis and treatment. Below are lists of ENT surgeons by division. You can use these links to find a qualified specialist near you.

Division	Find a doctor
Dhaka / ঢাকা	Best ENT Surgeon Doctors in Dhaka
Chattogram / চট্টগ্রাম	ENT Surgeon Doctors in Chattogram
Khulna / খুলনা	Recommended ENT Surgeon Doctors in Khulna
Rajshahi / রাজশাহী	ENT Surgeon Doctors in Rajshahi
Rangpur / রংপুর	Find ENT Surgeon doctors in Rangpur
Sylhet / সিলেট	Popular ENT Surgeon Doctors in Sylhet
Barishal / বরিশাল	Verified ENT Surgeon Doctors in Barishal
Mymensingh / ময়মনসিংহ	ENT Surgeons in Mymensingh

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vertigo the same as ordinary dizziness?

No. Dizziness is a broad term that can mean feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or faint. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness where you or your surroundings feel as if they are spinning or moving. True vertigo usually points to a problem in the inner ear or the brain’s balance pathways.

Can I try home manoeuvres like the Epley for vertigo?

The Epley manoeuvre is a series of head movements that can help reposition inner-ear crystals in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, it should only be performed after a proper diagnosis by a clinician, as the wrong manoeuvre may worsen symptoms or be ineffective for other vertigo types. Always consult an ENT specialist first.

How long does a typical vertigo episode last?

Duration depends on the cause. BPPV episodes often last less than one minute but can recur. Vestibular neuritis may cause constant spinning for hours to days. Ménière’s disease attacks can last 20 minutes to 12 hours. If vertigo persists or repeatedly occurs, a medical evaluation is needed.

Can stress or anxiety cause vertigo?

Stress and anxiety do not directly cause true vertigo, but they can worsen the perception of imbalance and trigger dizziness in people with underlying vestibular disorders. Conditions like persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) are linked to anxiety. Managing stress may help reduce symptom severity, but does not replace medical treatment for the root cause.

Which specialist should I see for vertigo – an ENT or a neurologist?

For most vertigo cases, start with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, as the inner ear is the most common source. If the ENT rules out ear-related causes or suspects a neurological issue (e.g., migraine, stroke, multiple sclerosis), they may refer you to a neurologist. In Bangladesh, experienced ENT doctors can manage the majority of vertigo cases.

Sources

The following sources are from international journals, government health agencies, or recognized medical organizations:

• Dizziness and Vertigo – Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org)
• Vertigo – NHS (nhs.uk)
• World Health Organization — Vertigo Symptoms & Treatment (who.int)
• MedlinePlus — Vertigo Symptoms & Treatment (medlineplus.gov)
• CDC — Vertigo Symptoms & Treatment (cdc.gov)
• NHS — Vertigo Symptoms & Treatment (nhs.uk)