(L-R) Dr Venkat Karthikeyan, Consultant ENT Head & Neck Surgeon, Apollo Main Hospitals, Chennai; Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr Michael Strupp, Professor of Neurology, Dept. of Neurology & German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Hospital of the Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr EC Vinay Kumar, ENT Surgeon, Cochlear Implant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; Dr YL Ravi, ENT Surgeon, Vertigo Specialist and Head, Vertigo Clinics, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad & Dr K. Hari Prasad, President, Apollo Group – Hospitals; at the press conference to announce the newly launched state-of-the-art Vertigo and Balance Disorders Clinic, at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills.
Hyderabad, November 2022: Apollo has launched a Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic in its hospital in Hyderabad, pioneering the growth of vertigo treatment in India. Being one of the most underdiagnosed problems worldwide, this clinic is meant to bring a revolutionary change in the way vertigo is perceived and treated in the country.
As a condition where the person feels a sensation that they or the environment around them is moving or spinning, vertigo can adversely affect day-to-day activities. A single episode of vertigo may last from a few seconds to a few minutes and sometimes even for hours or weeks. Therefore, it is crucial to treat vertigo effectively under experienced doctors, such as those of Apollo Hospitals.
The vertigo team at Apollo Hyderabad consists of renowned experts in the field that keep up with the newer advancements in scientific knowledge, technologies and concepts related to vertigo to provide the best service to the patients. So far, this team has treated over 6000 vertigo patients in the country.
Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo said, “The new Apollo Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic exemplifies Apollo’s commitment to bring world-class healthcare to patients in India and is the first of its kind to use advanced technologies for the detection and management of vertigo and balance disorders. Vertigo and balance disorders impact 15-30% of the general population and over 50% of those aged above 65 years. Studies indicate that irrespective of age and sex, vertigo and dizziness are among the strongest contributors to the burden of disability. The chronic nature of the condition contributes to the effect of the disability putting an economic burden on the individual and society. The clinic will address this while helping patients get the right diagnosis and treatment to live a normal life without fear. I am also very happy that the program will be overseen by Dr Michael Strupp, MD, FRCP, FANA, FEAN Department of Neurology and the German Center for Vertigo, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. Prof. Strupp’s current areas of interest are the diagnosis of vestibular, ocular motor and cerebellar disorders. He is also involved in active research about pharmacotherapy for vertigo.”
Dr Michael Strupp, Department of Neurology and the German Center for Vertigo, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; said, now a days Vertigo is diagnosable and treatable. What doctors need to practice is to listen to the patient. The patient is the best and primary source of information for the doctor. If the patient has vertigo to be specific, there are just four basic questions, what is the time course of the symptoms, the type of the symptoms, the modulating factors, and the accompanying symptoms. When it comes to the examination of the patient, there are just four tests for the vestibular system and if the question arises that this could be a stroke or is it something benign, there are clinical signs to observe. So mathematically spoken its very simple and so trivial that it’s easy. What we have elaborated over the last twelve years are the diagnostic criteria for all vestibular disorders. Once a correct diagnosis is made, we can specifically treat the patient. We have drugs which treat specific diseases, have rehabilitation for patients with balance deficit and also have treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. My advice is to listen to the patient, examine the patient, you can make the diagnosis and successfully treat the patient. That is going to be the success story of the new centre. The Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; is going to be an exemplary centre for entire India and even Asia.
Apart from having the most experienced doctors, Apollo is also known to be equipped with world-class infrastructure and facilities. One of the key features of the Apollo Vertigo Clinic is the range of technologies to undertake advanced non-invasive tests, such as stabilometry, video head impulse test, VNG (videonystagmography), subjective visual vertical test, dynamic visual acuity test, cranio corpography and calorie test. These non-invasive tests help the doctors at the vertigo clinic to accurately localise and pinpoint the pathology in the complex vestibular system while meeting high global standards.
Ms. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals said, “The Apollo Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic will follow a systematic approach based on international guidelines and protocols. Vertigo and dizziness can result from multiple causes related to different specialities, and it is important to know the exact cause. These are treatable conditions and a manageable and timely diagnosis of the cause with proper treatment will help prevent complications from falls, injuries, and immobility and reduce the burden of disability due to these causes. This dedicated clinic with a multi-speciality approach will enable a systematic assessment of the entire spectrum of problems related to vertigo and balance for accurate diagnosis and effective management.”
Dr YL Ravi, ENT Surgeon, Vertigo Specialist and Head, Vertigo Clinics, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; said, most of the patients of vertigo not knowing whom to approach, tend to visit multiple doctors, often spanning over two to five years, before they reach the vertigo specialist. That’s too long a period during which the patients endure the problem. Apollo Hospitals has the state-of-the-art facility for vertigo treatment. Patients need to be assured that treatment can be done with the technology and experts present at the Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. World renowned vertigo specialist Dr Michael Strupp, will also be guiding this centre with his expertise.
Dr EC Vinay Kumar, ENT Surgeon, Cochlear Implant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; said, 30% of the population suffers from some degree of balance disorders. It’s very distressing, because the patients who suffer from it need to depend on others for their day-to-day activities. This Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad; will offer treatment on par with the best in the world.
Apollo also recognises the importance of providing tailored and customised rehabilitation therapy to vertigo patients. Therefore, it has included organ-targeted vestibular rehabilitation therapy in its clinic, including virtual reality rehabilitation, intratympanic therapy for vertigo and VNG-assisted manoeuvre for all types of BPPV. Together with the dedicated team of experts and the latest and advanced technologies for accurate testing, diagnosing and treatment, Apollo Vertigo and Balance Disorder Clinic is sure to set the ball rolling in the department of vertigo treatment in India. The reasonable and affordable prices of the hospital add to the advantages of this clinic.