SAMANILAI · Vertigo / giddiness clinic
Vertigo and giddiness clinic
Most vertigo comes from the inner ear, and much of it is treatable once the cause is found. SAMANILAI brings together clinical vestibular assessment, VNG, VEMP, DVA and ECochG testing, and vestibular rehabilitation therapy in one place.
In short
When should you see a specialist?
The most common cause of spinning vertigo on lying down or turning in bed is BPPV, where tiny crystals move into the balance canals. It is often treated in the clinic with a repositioning manoeuvre, such as the Epley manoeuvre.
- Spinning when lying down, turning in bed or looking up
- Vertigo with hearing loss, ringing or ear fullness
- Unsteadiness that lasts weeks or months
- Falls or near-falls
- Seek emergency care for dizziness with slurred speech, weakness, facial droop, double vision or severe headache
Conditions
Conditions we diagnose and treat
BPPV
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: brief spinning with head movements.
Meniere's disease
Episodes of vertigo with fluctuating hearing, tinnitus and ear fullness.
Vestibular neuritis
Sudden, prolonged vertigo after inflammation of the balance nerve.
Labyrinthitis
Vertigo with hearing loss from inner ear inflammation.
Vestibular migraine
Dizziness or vertigo linked with migraine.
PPPD
Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: constant unsteadiness for months.
Motion sickness
Nausea and dizziness with travel or moving visuals.
Balance disorders
Unsteadiness and falls, especially in older adults.
Dizziness with hearing problems
When balance and hearing symptoms occur together.
Postural dizziness
Light-headedness on standing up.
Diagnosis
Tests available in the clinic
Testing in the same building means fewer trips and a diagnosis you can act on sooner.
- Clinical vestibular assessment
- Videonystagmography (VNG)
- Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP)
- Dynamic visual acuity (DVA)
- Electrocochleography (ECochG)
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
Treatment
Procedures and surgeries
Treatment always starts with the least invasive option that works. These are the procedures offered when surgery is needed.
Repositioning manoeuvres
Epley and related manoeuvres for BPPV, done in the clinic.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
A tailored exercise programme that retrains the balance system.
Virtual rehabilitation
Guided rehabilitation using a virtual environment, as part of the vestibular programme.
Medical management
Treatment for Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraine and inner ear inflammation.
Founder & Chief Consultant
Dr. Udayakumar, MBBS, MS (ENT)
ENT specialist in otology, rhinology, neurotology, hearing sciences, and vertigo and balance disorders. Former Senior Consultant in ENT at Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital and Assistant Professor of ENT at Adhiparasakthi Medical College. Founder of Dr. Udaya’s ENT Wellness Centre (2018) and SAMANILAI Diagnostic & Therapeutic Centre (2023).
FAQ
Common questions
What is a VNG test?
Videonystagmography records eye movements with small cameras while you do position changes and eye tracking tasks. Because the eyes and inner ear work together, the pattern of movements shows whether the balance organ, the nerve or the brain is the likely source of dizziness.
Can BPPV be cured?
BPPV usually responds very well to repositioning manoeuvres, often in one to a few sessions. It can come back in some people, and the same manoeuvres work again.
Should vertigo always be treated with tablets?
No. Tablets that suppress dizziness help for a short time in an acute attack, but long use can slow the brain's natural recovery. Finding the cause and using manoeuvres or rehabilitation works better for many conditions.
When is dizziness an emergency?
Go to an emergency department straight away if dizziness comes with slurred speech, weakness or numbness, facial droop, double vision, a severe headache or trouble walking. These can be signs of a stroke.
Related care
Other clinics you may need
Talk to an ENT specialist in Tambaram
Consultations Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Call ahead or send an appointment request and the clinic team will confirm your slot.