Vertigo is a common condition that is likely to occur anytime to anyone irrespective of age and gender. A recent survey reports that a majority of the population is likely to experience vertigo conditions at least once at some point in their life.
Spinning sensations where a person feels whether he is spinning or nearby surroundings are spinning all by itself, which in reality is static is termed as vertigo.
Apart from the age factor, various other factors are responsible for causing vertigo conditions in a patient. Vertigo is not a disease but a symptom of various underlying causes that make a person lose balance.
Meniere’s disease, labyrinths, BPPV, vestibular migraines, vestibular neuritis, etc. are some of the common causes that lead to repeated episodes of vertigo spells. Identifying the underlying cause of vertigo is a must to get the right treatment. An expert neurologist comes to your aid and helps in examining the cause of vertigo by carrying various tests and seeking complete medical history. He will suggest the right treatments and medication for treating the underlying cause accordingly.
With the advancement in medical technology, several tests are designed that help doctor in diagnosing the underlying cause of your vertigo (Chakkar aana) symptoms. Some vertigo conditions are diagnosed by undergoing one test while another condition requires a series of tests to diagnose the underlying vertigo condition.
Some vertigo tests are quick while some take up to 90 minutes to complete the whole procedure, it entirely depends on the type of vertigo test a patient is undergoing. Mostly all the vertigo tests are carried out through special equipment and trained medical professionals. An expert neurologist will suggest you with the right tests to diagnose the vertigo condition depending on your symptoms. Here is a list of some vertigo diagnosis tests that are commonly suggested by neurologists to examine the underlying cause of vertigo.
1. Video Head Impulse Test
The video head impulse test is used to measure the rhythm between your eyes and inner ear functions. It helps in diagnosing vestibular neuritis which is responsible for causing recurring episodes of vertigo spells.
6 semicircular canals and the saccades are tested at high frequency through video head impulse test. The test does not take much time and is completely done in 10 good minutes. Your doctor will slowly spin your head to measure the eye movements and reflex functions that denote a problem in the inner ear.
2. ENG Test
ENG stands for the Electronystagmography test, it is an important test that is suggested by neurologists to evaluate the underlying problem of vertigo and dizziness. It is used to track the movements of the eyes which help doctors to understand the balance system and functioning of the brain. ENG test uses electrodes while the head of the patient is placed in a different direction. The ENG test is performed in a dark room where a target has been set and your doctor asks you to track the certain visual targets. It helps doctors in capturing and analyzing jerky eye movements which help in evaluating the area which is affected by the disorder. It is an effective test that helps in diagnosing inner ear problems that are responsible for the onset of vertigo symptoms in patients.
3. VNG Test
Videonystagmography or VNG Test is an advanced technology that helps in determining abnormal eye movements the same as the ENG test that helps in detecting inner ear problems that are responsible for vertigo bouts.
Ever since VNG came into play, doctors rely on it as compared to ENG tests as it is a more advanced version that gives more accurate results.
Same as ENG, your doctor will ask you to track visual targets in a dark room while your head is placed in a different direction, to measure your eye movements. In the VNG test, a patient is asked to wear goggles that are equipped with infrared cameras before tracking visual targets. The camera helps in providing high-resolution images of the eye movements that make it easy for doctors to analyze the disorder.
4. CCG Test
Craniocorpography or CNG test is another test for vertigo diagnosis. It helps in examining the vestibulospinal reflex that helps in maintaining balance during the test.
Following tests come under CNG Test:
Tandem walking
Tandem walking is a test where the toes of the back foot touch the heel of the front foot at each step.
Romberg Test
In the Romberg test, your doctor will ask you to stand still with your eyes closed and your feet joint together to examine your condition. He will keep a watch on how much you tilt or sway to examine the underlying condition causing vertigo.
Fukuda-Unterberger Test
In the Fukuda-Unterberger test, your doctor will ask you to march with closed eyes. It helps your doctor to identify the side of the body affected by vertigo.
5. SVV Test
Doctors carry the Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test to diagnose otolith disorder. SVV test helps in examining the complete otolith system that is responsible for the perception of verticality. It not only helps in diagnosing otolithic disorders but is effective in assessing chronic dizziness, compensated vestibular disorders, the effect of rehabilitation in vertigo patients and helps in differentiating peripheral from central vestibular disorders.
6. DVA Test
Dynamic Visual Acuity test is used for screening Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR). DVA test helps in examining the functions of the VOR.
7. Computerized Stabilometry Test
To Evaluate the Postural Control system and to measure the outcome of vestibular rehabilitation therapy physicians carry the Computerized Stabilometry Test.
Sensory Integration of Balance (mCTSIB), Limits of Stability (LOS) and Rhythmic Weight Shift(RWS) are three tests that are done to examine the condition.
8. Caloric Test
For diagnosing vestibular disorders, the caloric test has been used for many years.
With advancements in medical science and technology, the caloric test uses a combination of VNG machines and Caloric Irrigators for accurate results. It is carried on patients who complain about dizziness or balance problems.
Doctors use two types of Caloric Irrigators for caloric testing of patients suffering from vertigo dizziness depending on the symptoms. When a physician uses Water caloric irrigator for caloric testing for patients, water is provided at the specific flow and fixed temperatures whereas, in air Caloric Irrigator, the air is provided at specified flow and temperature.
An expert neurologist will first seek your medical history and learn about your symptoms. After assessing your condition closely, he would suggest the right vertigo diagnosis test depending on the symptoms to diagnose the underlying cause of vertigo and would suggest the right treatment accordingly.
