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
Delay in diagnosis
