Ascent Ear Nose & Throat

Giddiness and Vertigo Specialist In Singapore

It is vital to understand your symptoms and seek medical treatment promptly, as early diagnosis and management can reduce the complications of giddiness and vertigo.

Comprehensive Services

Providing the highest standard of ENT care in Singapore and the region.

Accredited Specialists

Senior ENT surgeons with internationally-recognised fellowship training.

Convenient Locations

4 Clinics conveniently located in Orchard, Napier Road, Thomson, and Joo Chiat.

Common Symptoms of Giddiness and Vertigo

  • A false sense of motion or spinning
  • Lightheadedness
  • Loss of balance
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Ringing or buzzing in your ears (Tinnitus)
  • Hearing loss
  • Involuntary eye movements
OVERVIEW

What Are Giddiness and Vertigo?

Giddiness and vertigo are often used interchangeably as they both describe the feeling of dizziness and loss of balance. However, these terms actually describe two different types of sensations. Giddiness is a general term that results in the feeling of being off-balance, while vertigo is a specific type of giddiness that creates a false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning and moving.

There are 2 types of vertigo—peripheral vertigo (problems in the inner ear or the vestibular nerve) and central vertigo (problems in the brain).

Common Causes of Vertigo

  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
  • Meniere’s disease (a disorder that affects the inner ear)
  • Vestibular neuritis (inflammation of the vestibular nerve, a nerve in the ear that transmits information to your brain about balance)
  • Vestibular migraine
  • Head injuries
  • Tumours or growths that affect the central nervous system and inner ear
  • Certain types of medications

Common Causes of Giddiness

  • Dehydration
  • Heat exhaustion
  • Low blood sugar
  • Low blood pressure
  • Anxiety
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Motion sickness
  • Head injuries
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
For Singaporeans & Singapore Permanent Residents

Insurance & Medisave Partners

Certain ENT procedures are claimable under Medisave, and the exact amount would depend on the procedure. For more information, please speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your insurance plan, Integrated Shield Plan, or Medisave.

Diagnosis of Giddiness and Vertigo

  • Physical examination to check for symptoms
  • Eye movement test
  • Head movement test (Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre)
  • Posturography (Check for balance)
  • Blood tests (Check for infection)
Complications of Giddiness and Vertigo: Giddiness and vertigo can increase your risk of falling and injuries due to loss of balance. You may also experience long-term health complications if underlying health conditions causing your dizziness go untreated.
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Treatment Options for Giddiness and Vertigo

Giddiness and vertigo symptoms typically get better even without treatment. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, treatment may make them more manageable and reduce the risks of further complications. The type of treatment depends on the severity and cause of the giddiness or vertigo.

Some of the treatment options may include:

Medications

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications to reduce the effects of giddiness and vertigo may include:

  • Water pills (Diuretics)
  • Medications that relieve dizziness and nausea, such as antihistamines, anticholinergics or motion sickness pills
  • Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants
  • Antibiotics
Therapy
  • Head position manoeuvres (Epley manoeuvre). This involves holding specific head positions for 30 to 60 seconds to displace canalith crystals (tiny particles that cause vertigo) from the canals of the inner ear. Each position may be repeated several times, depending on your doctor’s guidance.
  • Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) or balance therapy. This method involves specific exercises designed according to your symptoms to help make your balance system less sensitive to motion. These balance training exercises also alleviate dizziness and improve steadiness.
  • Psychotherapy. This type of therapy may be effective in helping people whose dizziness symptoms are caused by anxiety disorders such as depression.
Surgical procedures

Surgery is often the last resort to treat giddiness and vertigo if other non-surgical treatment options are not effective in relieving symptoms.

Some of the surgical procedures include:

  • Injection of antibiotic gentamicin to disable the balance function of the inner ear
  • Labyrinthectomy or removal of the internal ear sense organ
  • Surgery to remove brain tumour
  • Surgery to treat head injuries

When Should You See An ENT Specialist In Singapore??

  • Any Ear, Nose or Throat symptoms that you are troubled with or concerned of
  • Persistent blocked nose with mouth breathing or snoring

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    Our Main Clinic

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    Other Practice Locations
    Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
    Parkway East Medical Centre
    Mount Alvernia Medical Centre D
    Gleneagles Medical Centre
    • 6 Napier Road #03-12 Singapore 258499