Vertigo

Regain Balance and Stability With Expert ENT Care
If you’ve ever felt suddenly dizzy or off balance, you may have experienced vertigo. Vertigo involves brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness and is often caused by a disturbance in the inner ear. In some cases, it may also result from a neurological or brain-related condition.

Common Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo symptoms can be triggered by changes in head position and may include:
  • Sudden spinning or swaying sensation
  • Dizziness when lying down, turning over, or sitting up in bed
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in the ear
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Abnormal rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus)
These symptoms can come and go and often last less than a minute, though frequency and intensity may vary between individuals.

What Causes Vertigo?

Most cases of vertigo are related to inner ear disorders, such as:
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
In some cases, vertigo may be linked to central nervous system issues or neurological conditions that require advanced diagnosis.

Diagnosing Vertigo

Dr. Todd Schneiderman performs a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your vertigo. This may include:

Physical Examination

  • Monitoring dizziness triggered by eye or head movements
  • Checking for nystagmus (involuntary eye movements)
  • Observing eye control and coordination

Diagnostic Testing

  • Electronystagmography (ENG) or Videonystagmography (VNG)
  • MRI scans to rule out neurological causes
Treatment Options for Vertigo

Treatment Options for Vertigo

While vertigo is often not serious, it can increase the risk of falls and disrupt daily life. Treatment is focused on restoring balance and reducing symptoms.
Also known as the Epley maneuver, this involves a series of guided head and body movements designed to move particles (canaliths) out of the inner ear canal. This is often performed in-office and can be taught for home use.
A physical therapy-based program designed to strengthen the vestibular system and help retrain the brain to maintain balance.
Short-term use of medications may be prescribed to reduce nausea and inflammation.
In very rare cases, a procedure involving a bone plug may be used to block the affected part of the inner ear.

When to See a Specialist

If you experience recurring episodes of dizziness or imbalance, especially when changing positions, it’s time to consult an ENT specialist. Call Dr. Todd Schneiderman at (908) 725-5050 to schedule an evaluation and find relief from vertigo.