Health Blog

Do you ever feel like the room is spinning, even while you're perfectly still? Do you sometimes lose your balance or experience dizziness when changing positions? If so, you may be dealing with vertigo a disorienting condition that affects your sense of balance and spatial awareness.

For many patients across the UAE, vertigo can be unsettling, unpredictable, and even debilitating. The good news? Vertigo is often treatable, and in many cases, not a permanent condition though it can recur depending on its cause.

In this blog, Tarabichi ENT home to the best ENT specialists and vertigo doctors in Dubai explores the causes, symptoms, and long-term outlook of vertigo, while offering expert insights on effective diagnosis, management, and treatment options.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is not a condition itself, but a symptom of various underlying disorders related to the inner ear or brain. It creates a false sense of movement, often described as spinning, tilting, or whirling. This sensation can last for a few seconds to several hours and may be accompanied by other symptoms.

While vertigo can be unsettling, the root cause usually determines whether it’s a short-term episode or a chronic, long-term condition.

Common Symptoms of Vertigo

In addition to the sensation of spinning or imbalance, vertigo may present with several other symptoms, including:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Temporary or partial hearing loss
• Jerky or abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Light and sound sensitivity
• A sense of being pulled in one direction
• Difficulty standing or walking

These symptoms often worsen when moving your head, turning in bed, or suddenly changing positions. If you notice recurring episodes, it may be time to consult the best ENT doctor in Dubai has to offer at Tarabichi ENT.

What Causes Vertigo?

Understanding what’s triggering your vertigo is the first step toward proper treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of vertigo:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

This is the most common form of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged and interfere with the semicircular canal’s organs responsible for balance.

People over 60, or those who have had a head injury or ear surgery, are more likely to experience BPPV. The vertigo attacks are typically short-lived, lasting seconds to minutes, but they can recur frequently.

Treatment:
ENT specialists use a technique called canalith repositioning, a series of head movements that shift the calcium particles out of the canals and into a part of the ear where they no longer cause dizziness.

At Tarabichi ENT, one of the best ENT clinic in Dubai, canalith repositioning is a commonly used, effective, and non-invasive therapy.

Disease

Meniere’s Disease is a chronic condition that affects the inner ear and is linked to a build-up of fluid. It typically causes:

• Vertigo that lasts minutes to hours
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
• Progressive hearing loss

Although Meniere’s Disease itself is considered permanent, the good news is that symptoms can be managed effectively in most cases. Medications, dietary adjustments, and physical therapy can greatly improve the patient’s quality of life.

If you're looking for expert care, Tarabichi ENT is home to some of the best ENT specialists in Dubai offering long-term solutions for this complex condition.

2. Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an infection or inflammation of the inner ear that affects the cochlear and vestibular nerves, responsible for balance and hearing.

Symptoms may include:

• Sudden, severe vertigo
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty focusing or walkingporary hearing loss in one earst people recover with medication and rest. However, untreated or severe cases may result in long-term balance issues and hearing loss.

Patients experiencing persistent symptoms may benefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which is available at Tarabichi ENT, where the best vertigo treatment in Dubai provided

3. Vestibular Migraine

Sometimes, migraines affect the part of the brain that controls balance, resulting in what’s known as a vestibular migraine. This form of vertigo is often accompanied by:

• Severe headaches
• Dizziness lasting minutes to hours
• Motion sensitivity
• Light and sound sensitivity

Although vestibular migraines can be recurring, they are not considered permanent. With the right management often a combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments patients can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.

At Tarabichi ENT, ENT specialists work closely with neurologists to ensure that patients receive a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

4. Head or Neck Injuries

Vertigo is a common side effect following traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or neck trauma. It results from damage to the brain, vestibular system, or inner ear. Approximately 50% of TBI patients experience vertigo during recovery.

Depending on the severity of the injury and the area affected, vertigo may be temporary or long-lasting.

Treatment options at Tarabichi ENT may include:

• Medication for symptom control
• Vestibular therapy
• Balance retraining exercises
• Surgical intervention (rarely needed)

Is Vertigo Always Permanent?

Not necessarily. While some causes of vertigo like Meniere’s Disease or severe head injuries can lead to chronic or long-term symptoms, most cases of vertigo are temporary and highly treatable.

For example:

• BPPV often resolves on its own or through repositioning therapy.
• Labyrinthitis usually improves within weeks with proper care.
• Vestibular migraines can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.
• Injury-related vertigo can improve significantly with rehab and therapy.
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When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

You should never ignore vertigo especially if it's recurring or affecting your daily life. It’s time to see a doctor if you:

• Experience frequent or prolonged dizziness
• Have difficulty standing or walking
• Feel like you're being pulled in one direction
• Notice hearing changes or ringing in your ears
• Develop double vision or trouble speaking
• Have a fever, numbness, or weakness along with vertigo
• Pass out or experience chest pain

These signs could indicate a more serious issue, such as a stroke or neurological disorder.

At Tarabichi ENT, Dubai’s leading ENT specialists are equipped to handle even the most complex vertigo cases with thorough assessments and advanced technology.

Diagnosis and Treatment at Tarabichi ENT

When you visit Tarabichi ENT for vertigo, you’ll undergo a complete evaluation to determine the root cause. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Hearing exams
• Balance and coordination testing
• Imaging studies (MRI/CT)
• Eye movement analysis
• Blood work

Based on the results, your treatment plan may include:

• Medications to control nausea, inflammation, or infection
• Canalith repositioning for BPPV
• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
• Dietary changes for fluid management in Meniere’s
• Migraine prevention medications
• Surgical procedures (in rare cases)

CONSULT A TRUSTED ENT SPECIALIST 

If you're experiencing frequent or unexplained episodes of vertigo, it may be more than just occasional dizziness. Persistent balance issues can signal underlying problems such as inner ear disorders, vestibular nerve inflammation, or even chronic migraines. These conditions not only disrupt your equilibrium but can interfere with daily activities, impact concentration, and cause ongoing fatigue or anxiety. At Tarabichi ENT, the best ENT specialist in Dubai and home to some of the best vertigo doctors, advanced diagnostic tools like videonystagmography (VNG), hearing tests, and imaging studies are used to identify the root cause of your vertigo. With precise, personalized, and minimally invasive treatment plans, they help restore balance, reduce symptoms, and support long-term recovery.

Our team of the Best ENT doctors in Dubai, at Tarabichi Healthcare is committed to delivering world-class care with precision and compassion.
Meet our dedicated specialists: Dr. Muaaz Tarabichi, Dr. Michael Timms, Dr. Mustafa Kapadia, Dr. Satish Jain, Dr. Nazik Elfadil and Dr. Jamal Kassouma.
We provide minimally invasive treatments tailored to your condition, with a strong focus on safety, accuracy, and long-term results.

For Consultations and Appointments, reach out to us at

Call +971 44 131 000

Whatsapp +971 52 706 7114