Vertigo Specialist in Mumbai: Dr. Shama Kovale
Vertigo is a sensation that makes you feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning, even when you are standing or sitting still. It can affect balance, walking, and everyday activities and may occur alongside nausea, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating. Although some episodes are temporary, recurring or severe symptoms require medical assessment to identify the underlying cause. Consulting an experienced Vertigo specialist in Mumbai can help patients understand their symptoms and explore appropriate treatment options.
Dr. Shama Kovale is a Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. With more than 23 years of clinical experience, she specialises in ENT conditions, laryngology, voice and swallowing disorders, and advanced ENT procedures. Her qualifications include MBBS, DLO, and MS in ENT from B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai. She also received advanced training in voice and swallowing disorders at the University of California, Davis, USA, and specialist training in cochlear implant surgery at P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai. Her ENT background supports the assessment of ear-related conditions that may contribute to dizziness and balance problems.
When to Consult a Vertigo Specialist in Mumbai
Vertigo can arise from problems affecting the inner ear, vestibular system, brain, or other parts of the body. The vestibular system helps maintain balance and coordinate eye movements with head movements. When this system is disrupted, a person may experience spinning sensations, unsteadiness, or difficulty maintaining balance.
You should consider a specialist consultation if you experience:
Repeated episodes of spinning or dizziness.
Vertigo triggered by turning your head, rolling over in bed, or looking upward.
Nausea or vomiting associated with dizziness.
Unsteadiness while walking or standing.
Dizziness accompanied by ear fullness, ringing in the ears, or hearing changes.
Symptoms that interfere with work, travel, or everyday activities.
A Vertigo specialist in Mumbai can evaluate whether symptoms are related to an inner-ear condition or whether further medical investigation is required. The appropriate specialist depends on the symptom pattern and associated findings.
Common Causes of Vertigo
Understanding the possible causes of vertigo helps guide diagnosis and treatment. Some of the most common conditions include:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This occurs when tiny calcium carbonate crystals move into the wrong part of the inner ear. Brief spinning episodes may be triggered by changes in head position, such as turning in bed or bending down.
Vestibular neuritis: Inflammation affecting the vestibular nerve can cause sudden, prolonged vertigo and imbalance. Symptoms may last for days, although recovery can take longer.
Labyrinthitis: Inflammation involving the inner ear may cause vertigo and, in some cases, hearing loss. Assessment is important to distinguish it from other causes.
Ménière’s disease: This inner-ear disorder can cause recurring vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of pressure or fullness in the ear.
Vestibular migraine: Some people experience dizziness or vertigo associated with migraine, sometimes even without a typical headache.
Other medical causes: Medication side effects, blood pressure changes, dehydration, neurological disorders, and other conditions can cause dizziness or imbalance. Not all dizziness is true vertigo, making accurate assessment important.
Qualifications and Clinical Experience of Dr. Shama Kovale
Dr. Shama Kovale completed her MBBS, Diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (DLO), and MS in ENT at B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai. Her specialist education provides a foundation for evaluating ear, nose, and throat conditions, including disorders that may affect hearing and balance.
She has more than 23 years of clinical experience and has worked with established medical institutions, including Hinduja Hospital, Bhagwati Hospital, and A. J. B. ENT Hospital. She is a Senior Consultant at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and heads its Voice and Swallowing Centre.
Her additional training includes advanced study in voice and swallowing disorders at the University of California, Davis, USA, fellowship-level training in voice and swallowing surgery at Bombay Hospital, and cochlear implant surgery training at P. D. Hinduja Hospital.
Her broader ENT expertise includes ear microsurgery, endoscopic ENT procedures, cochlear implantation, laryngology, and airway surgery. While vertigo management depends on the specific diagnosis, an ENT evaluation can be valuable when symptoms suggest an inner-ear or related balance disorder.
How Is Vertigo Diagnosed?
Vertigo diagnosis begins with a detailed review of the patient’s symptoms and medical history. The doctor may ask when the dizziness started, how long each episode lasts, what triggers it, and whether hearing changes, headaches, nausea, or neurological symptoms occur.
A clinical examination may include:
Ear examination: To assess visible ear problems that may be relevant to the symptoms.
Balance and eye movement tests: To look for involuntary eye movements, known as nystagmus, and signs of vestibular dysfunction.
Positional testing: Tests such as the Dix–Hallpike manoeuvre may help identify BPPV.
Hearing assessment: Audiometry may be recommended when vertigo occurs alongside tinnitus or hearing loss.
Further investigations: Vestibular function tests, blood tests, or imaging may be required depending on the clinical findings.
Not every patient needs every test. Investigations are selected according to the suspected cause and the presence of warning signs.
Treatment Options for Vertigo
Treatment depends on the underlying condition, symptom severity, and the patient’s general health.
Canalith repositioning manoeuvres: For many patients with BPPV, a repositioning procedure such as the Epley manoeuvre can move displaced crystals out of the affected inner-ear canal. The manoeuvre should be selected and performed with appropriate guidance.
Medication: Medicines may sometimes be prescribed for short-term relief of severe nausea or vertigo. Their suitability depends on the diagnosis, and prolonged use of certain vestibular-suppressant medicines may delay compensation in some conditions.
Vestibular rehabilitation: Specific exercises help the brain adapt to changes in balance signals. These may be useful for persistent imbalance or selected vestibular disorders.
Condition-specific management: Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine, and other causes may require individualised treatment, lifestyle adjustments, or care from additional specialists.
Further assessment: If symptoms do not improve or the diagnosis remains uncertain, additional investigations or referral may be recommended.
A consultation with a Vertigo specialist in Mumbai can help establish a diagnosis and determine which treatments are most suitable.
Living Safely With Vertigo
Vertigo can increase the risk of falls, particularly during sudden episodes. Taking precautions while symptoms are active can help reduce injury risk.
Sit or lie down as soon as spinning begins.
Get up slowly and use support when walking if necessary.
Avoid driving, climbing ladders, or operating machinery while dizzy.
Keep walkways clear and ensure adequate lighting at home.
Stay hydrated unless your doctor has advised fluid restriction.
Follow prescribed treatment and attend recommended follow-up appointments.
Seek emergency medical attention if vertigo begins suddenly with difficulty speaking, facial drooping, weakness or numbness on one side, double vision, inability to walk, a severe new headache, or other neurological symptoms. Sudden hearing loss also requires urgent medical evaluation.
Why Choose Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital?
Vertigo assessment may involve ENT examination, audiology, balance testing, and collaboration with neurology or other specialties when required. A hospital environment with access to relevant diagnostic services can support a coordinated evaluation.
Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West offers specialist ENT services and access to multidisciplinary medical care. Dr. Shama Kovale’s extensive ENT experience and expertise in ear-related conditions provide a foundation for assessing patients whose symptoms may be linked to the ear or vestibular system.
Patients seeking an ENT Specialist in Mumbai should consider the doctor’s qualifications, the availability of appropriate investigations, and the follow-up support offered. Treatment should be based on a proper diagnosis rather than dizziness symptoms alone.
Book a Consultation With Dr. Shama Kovale
If you experience recurrent spinning sensations, balance difficulties, or dizziness associated with ear symptoms, consider arranging an ENT assessment. Dr. Shama Kovale consults at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West, Mumbai.
As an experienced ENT Doctor in Mumbai, she provides specialist evaluation for a range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Contact her team to enquire about a consultation for vertigo symptoms and confirm which assessments may be appropriate.
Contact Details
+91 91528 50769
Get Directions to the Clinic – Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Early evaluation can help identify the cause of vertigo, reduce avoidable risks, and guide appropriate treatment for better balance and daily functioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes vertigo?
Vertigo may be caused by inner-ear conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, or Ménière’s disease. Vestibular migraine and certain neurological or medical conditions can also cause dizziness or balance problems.
2. When should I consult a Vertigo specialist in Mumbai?
Consult a specialist if you experience recurrent spinning sensations, dizziness triggered by head movements, persistent imbalance, or vertigo associated with hearing changes or tinnitus. Seek emergency care if dizziness occurs with weakness, difficulty speaking, double vision, or an inability to walk.
3. Can vertigo be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many cases can be managed with repositioning manoeuvres, medication when appropriate, vestibular rehabilitation, and treatment of the underlying condition. Surgery is considered only in selected cases when other treatments are insufficient and the diagnosis warrants it.
4. How can I book an appointment with Dr. Shama Kovale?
You can contact Dr. Shama Kovale’s team at 91528 50769 or email drshamakovaleent@gmail.com. She consults at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri West, Mumbai. Confirm the appointment and consultation details before visiting.
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