Vertigo
That false sense of spinning or tilting when you, or the room, feel like they're moving — what's behind it, and how a consultant can pin down the cause.
Vertigo is the distinct sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, swaying or tilting when you're actually still.
It most often comes from a problem with the balance organs of the inner ear or the nerves that connect them to the brain. It isn't a diagnosis in itself but a symptom, and the cause matters enormously. The great majority of vertigo comes from benign inner-ear conditions that respond well to treatment — but pinning down which one you have is the key to settling it for good.
Symptoms of vertigo.
Vertigo tends to come in episodes, and how long each one lasts is one of the biggest clues to its cause.
Why it happens.
Most vertigo starts in the inner ear's balance system, but the brain's balance pathways can be involved too. The pattern of your attacks usually narrows it down to one of a handful of causes.
Don't wait for it to settle.
Early assessment helps you get the right treatment sooner. See a specialist if:
Diagnosed by a focused balance and ear assessment.
Most vertigo is diagnosed in clinic from your history and a hands-on examination — your consultant will ask exactly what triggers the attacks and how long they last, examine your ears, and watch your eye movements and balance. Simple positional tests can confirm BPPV on the spot, and a hearing test helps when a condition like Meniere's is suspected. Mr Huw Jones, Consultant ENT Surgeon, will work out which type of vertigo you have and explain what it means for you.
How vertigo is treated.
Treatment is matched to the cause — and for the commonest type it can be remarkably quick.
The starting point: working out which type of vertigo you have, since the right treatment depends entirely on the cause. This includes ear examination and balance testing.
For the crystal-displacement type, a guided head-and-body manoeuvre in clinic can move the loose particles back where they belong — often relieving symptoms in one or two sessions.
Medication to ease nausea during acute attacks, alongside balance-retraining exercises and dietary advice tailored to conditions such as vestibular neuritis or Meniere's.
For Meniere's disease that isn't settling, a steroid delivered directly to the inner ear can help control disabling episodes — discussed only when it's the right fit for your case.
Seen in days — not months on a list.
A named specialist, not a junior — all the way through.
Every price published and confirmed in writing.
Seen privately, without the wait.
We bill major UK insurers directly.
Can a consultant tell what's causing my vertigo? +
Usually, yes. The length and triggers of your attacks, an ear examination and a few simple balance and eye-movement tests let the consultant identify which type of vertigo you have — and a hearing test is added if a condition like Meniere's is suspected.
How do I arrange to be seen for vertigo at Bridge House? +
You can book an ENT appointment with Mr Huw Jones directly, without needing a letter from your GP. If you'd rather your GP send a referral, that's welcome too — either route works.
What will an ENT appointment for dizziness cost? +
An initial consultation with the ENT consultant is £200, which covers the assessment and diagnosis. If a treatment such as an inner-ear steroid injection is needed, its cost is explained to you upfront before you decide.
Is the spinning type of vertigo treatable in one visit? +
Often, for the most common cause — BPPV from displaced inner-ear crystals — a repositioning manoeuvre performed in clinic can relieve symptoms within one or two sessions. Other causes are managed differently, which is why getting the diagnosis right comes first.
Is vertigo ever a sign of something serious? +
The large majority of vertigo comes from harmless inner-ear conditions. But spinning that arrives with sudden hearing loss, a severe headache, slurred speech, weakness or double vision should be treated as urgent — seek emergency care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Don't put up with it.
Book an assessment with a consultant and get a clear picture — and a plan.