A neurologist diagnoses and treats vertigo by identifying its nervous system cause, performing balance/eye movement tests (like VNG, Dix-Hallpike), ordering scans (MRI/CT), and prescribing targeted treatments like repositioning maneuvers (Epley), medications (for migraines/nausea), or vestibular physical therapy to retrain balance. They create a personalized plan to restore balance, reduce dizziness, and prevent falls, often involving exercises and lifestyle changes.

Can a neurologist treat vertigo?

Your balance system is an intricate design involving many parts of the body. Consult with a neurologist or ENT specialist to diagnose the cause of your vertigo today. A neuro-optometrist can help evaluate how your brain processes information. They can work hand-in-hand with a physical therapist to assess your balance.

How do I know if my vertigo is neurological?

You know your vertigo might be neurological (central) if it comes with other brain/nervous system symptoms like vision changes, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, trouble swallowing, or severe imbalance, especially if it lasts for hours/days rather than seconds, and if eye movements (nystagmus) don't stop or change direction during a doctor's exam, pointing to a brain issue rather than an inner ear problem.

How does a neurologist diagnose vertigo?

Dix-Hallpike Test for Vertigo

The first vertigo test doctors typically run is known as the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. While this maneuver might sound complicated, it's actually quite simple. The Dix-Hallpike is used to test for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common cause of vertigo.

Which test confirms vertigo?

Testing for vertigo involves in-office maneuvers like the Dix-Hallpike test (moving the head and body to provoke dizziness and observe eye movements) and more detailed exams such as Videonystagmography (VNG), which uses infrared goggles to record eye movements, and the Romberg Test (checking balance with eyes closed). These tests, performed by a healthcare provider, assess the inner ear and nervous system to pinpoint the cause, looking for involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) indicating inner ear dysfunction.

DIZZINESS and VERTIGO: How functional neurology can help

What will an ENT do for vertigo?

If vertigo is caused by inflammation or infection, steroids or antibiotics can decrease swelling and clear the infection. For Meniere's disease, your ENT specialist may prescribe diuretics to reduce pressure from fluid buildup.

Is vertigo a brain problem?

Unlike general dizziness, vertigo usually points to a problem with the inner ear or part of the brain that helps control balance. The inner ear contains tiny structures that act as your body's internal leveling system. These structures send signals to your brain about your position and movement.

Will a brain MRI show vertigo?

What test to order? Regardless of suspicion for peripheral or central etiology, for episodic or persistent vertigo, if imaging is indicated the best test is MRI Brain and internal auditory canal with and without IV contrast.

What is the most common neurological disorder causing vertigo?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of recurrent vertigo. BPPV is a type of peripheral vertigo and is the most common disorder of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and sense of spatial orientation.

What tests do neurologists do for dizziness?

Vestibular testing includes several tests that check how the balance system within your inner ear (vestibular system) is working. These tests are sometimes called a vestibular test battery. Your healthcare provider may order vestibular testing if you have symptoms of dizziness, vertigo or if you're feeling off balance.

What do doctors do to fix vertigo?

Healthcare providers use a variety of treatments, which may include:

1. Repositioning maneuvers.
2. Vertigo medication.
3. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (vertigo exercises).
4. Surgery.

What disease starts with vertigo?

Vertigo is one of the main symptoms of Ménière disease. It can cause falls or trouble driving, or prevent other normal activities of daily living. Lasting (permanent) hearing loss may also happen. These problems can cause depression and anxiety.

When to worry about vertigo?

Worry about vertigo if it's sudden, severe, or accompanied by serious symptoms like chest pain, numbness, slurred speech, vision changes, weakness, confusion, trouble breathing, or seizures; seek immediate emergency care (call 911) for these signs, as they can signal a stroke or other serious brain/heart issue, but also see a doctor for recurring episodes, post-head injury vertigo, or balance problems disrupting daily life.
 

What are the four types of vertigo?

Takeaways. Vertigo is the sensation that the world is spinning. It can be caused by two main types: peripheral and central. Peripheral vertigo is the more common type and is usually caused by problems in the inner ear, such as BPPV, vestibular neuronitis, or Meniere's disease.

Do neurologists handle vertigo?

While general practitioners can offer initial insights, a neurologist is often the specialist best equipped to diagnose and manage complex cases of vertigo. Neurologists specialize in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system.

How do I know if my vertigo is brain related?

If you have vertigo due to problems in the brain (central vertigo), you may have other symptoms, including: Difficulty swallowing. Double vision. Eye movement problems.

What will happen if vertigo is left untreated?

Leaving vertigo untreated increases the risk of serious falls and injuries (like fractures or concussions), severely impacts daily life (work, driving), and can worsen mental health, leading to anxiety and depression, with some underlying causes potentially causing permanent hearing loss or balance issues over time, highlighting the need for prompt medical diagnosis to address the root cause. 

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