As vertigo cases rise, specialists raise concerns over diagnostic gaps

Rising vertigo cases in India reveal diagnostic gaps, prompting specialists to emphasize the need for improved assessment and management.

Vertigo and balance disorders are increasingly emerging as a significant yet under-recognised health concern in India, with specialists pointing to widespread gaps in diagnosis and management, particularly at the first point of care.

At a clinical workshop that brought together neurologists, ENT specialists and general physicians on Saturday, experts noted that a substantial proportion of patients presenting with dizziness are either misdiagnosed or treated symptomatically without identifying the underlying cause.

An estimated 15% to over 20% of adults experience vertigo or dizziness each year, with prevalence peaking in the 55-64 years age group. Vertigo is a sensation that the environment around the person is spinning in circles.

Specialists highlighted that one of the key challenges lies in differentiating between various types of vertigo- peripheral, central and functional- which often present with overlapping symptoms but require distinct treatment pathways. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Despite its frequency, vertigo is often dismissed as a minor or transient condition, leading to delay in diagnosis and prolonged discomfort. In some cases, clinicians cautioned, this may result in missing serious underlying neurological or vestibular disorders.

Suryanarayana Sharma P.M., senior consultant neurologist and stroke specialist, said, “In India, more than 70 million people are suffering from vertigo. Though about 74% of cases are benign, recognising red flags and identifying serious neurological or ENT conditions is crucial. This requires a multidisciplinary approach.” He underlined the need for dedicated vertigo clinics.