Vertigo Treatment in Port Neches, TX

What Is Vertigo?

Many people have experienced vertigo at one point or another. This common feeling of spinning while not actually in motion will typically occur infrequently and only last for a few moments. For others, vertigo can be a serious issue that they battle in their everyday life, which is a clear sign that the person should seek treatment.

ENT specialist Boyd Herndon, DO has extensive experience treating and diagnosing vertigo. If you’re experiencing symptoms of vertigo, contact M Boyd Herndon, DO today to schedule an appointment in Port Neches, right outside of Beaumont. Give our office a call at (409) 729-6401 or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Common Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Understanding what’s driving your vertigo is the first step toward effective treatment. The most common causes include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium carbonate crystals (called otoliths or canaliths) become dislodged from their normal position in the inner ear and migrate into the semicircular canals. This triggers brief but intense episodes of spinning — often lasting less than a minute — brought on by specific head movements such as rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending forward.

Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder linked to abnormal fluid buildup. It typically causes recurring episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, and fluctuating hearing loss. Meniere’s disease usually affects one ear and can worsen over time without treatment.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the inner ear, most often triggered by a viral infection. It can cause sudden, severe vertigo, temporary hearing loss, and tinnitus. Symptoms may last days to weeks while the inner ear heals.

Vestibular Neuritis

Similar to labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis involves inflammation of the vestibular nerve — the nerve that sends balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. Unlike labyrinthitis, it typically does not affect hearing.

Other causes that are less commonly, vertigo may be associated with:

• Migraines (vestibular migraine)
• Head or neck injury
• Acoustic neuroma (a non-cancerous tumor on the balance nerve)
• Medications that affect the inner ear
• Central nervous system conditions affecting the brainstem or cerebellum

The Two Types of Vertigo

These two main categories are determined by the cause of a person’s vertigo, which may be due to an inner ear issue or a problem within the brain.

Peripheral Vertigo

This term describes vertigo caused by an inner ear complication. Because the ear is made up of so many tiny, intricate pieces, it can actually be quite easy for one part to malfunction. Such an issue can quickly lead to balance problems or inflammation within the ear.

Individuals with peripheral vertigo often experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Ringing in the ears
• Dizziness
• Difficulty focusing their eyes
• Sweating
• Hearing loss in one ear
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Central Vertigo

The second type of vertigo is known as central vertigo, which is a balance disorder that has been linked to problems with the central nervous system. This more specifically indicates a problem with either the brainstem or the cerebellum, which are two areas responsible for a person’s perception of vision and balance.

The most common symptoms associated with central vertigo are:

• Double vision
• Difficulty in controlling movements of the eye
• Temporary facial paralysis
• Weakness in the limbs
• Trouble swallowing
• Slurred speech

How Does a Physician Test for Vertigo?

There are a variety of tests that can be conducted to determine if a person has vertigo, and if so, what type of vertigo they are experiencing.

This process will first begin with a one-on-one consultation with one of our physicians. During this appointment, the physician will ask a series of questions to narrow down the list of the patient’s symptoms, how frequently they experience these symptoms, and whether or not there was any recent event that may have caused vertigo to suddenly occur such as head trauma.

If initial tests are inconclusive, Dr. Herndon and his team will likely order a CT or MRI scan to get better insight into the internal structure of the ear or brain, which will help them pin down an exact cause of the patient’s dizzying symptoms. At this point, a course of treatment will be recommended based on the individual and their original diagnosis.

How Do You Treat Vertigo?

Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause of your vertigo. Our approach begins with the least invasive options and progresses based on your response.

Canalith Repositioning (Epley Maneuver)

For patients with BPPV, the Epley maneuver is often the first — and most effective — treatment. This in-office procedure involves a specific series of head and body movements designed to guide the displaced crystals out of the semicircular canals and back to their proper location. When performed correctly, many patients experience significant relief after just one or two sessions.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)

VRT is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to retrain the brain and balance system to compensate for inner ear problems. It involves a customized program of exercises targeting gaze stabilization, balance, and coordination. VRT is effective for a wide range of vestibular conditions including labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and chronic dizziness.

Medications

Depending on your diagnosis, medications may be prescribed to reduce symptoms or address the underlying cause. These may include:

Antihistamines (e.g., meclizine) — to reduce dizziness and nausea
Sedatives or anti-nausea medications — for acute vertigo episodes
Steroids — to reduce inner ear inflammation
Antibiotics or antivirals — for infection-related causes
Diuretics — to help manage fluid buildup in Meniere’s disease

Lifestyle Modifications

For conditions like Meniere’s disease, lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the frequency of episodes. Recommendations may include reducing sodium intake, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, staying well hydrated, and managing stress.

Antibiotic Injections

In some cases of Meniere’s disease that don’t respond to other treatments, an injection of gentamicin or a steroid into the middle ear may be recommended to reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo episodes.

Surgery

Surgery is reserved for cases where other treatments have not provided relief. Options may include endolymphatic sac decompression, vestibular nerve section, or labyrinthectomy, depending on the condition and degree of hearing involvement.