This is a site for patients with balance disorders, vertigo, dizzy spells or general dizziness, and is structured to allow patients to identify their symptoms, learn more about what is likely to be causing them and identify what treatment is available. It has been designed by Mr. Anil Banerjee ENT Consultant and Balance Specialist and reflects the balance clinics he runs. It is important to understand that information gained from this site is not designed to replace a consultation with a balance or vertigo specialist and patients are always advised to seek professional medical help when confronted by a problem with imbalance, dizzy spells or dizziness in general.
"As a specialist in neuro-otology ( patients with dizzy spells, imbalance or general dizziness/vertigo) I have treated patients with balance problems or dizziness for over a decade in my private and NHS balance clinics. As they are leaving a consultation, patients have often asked me where they can find out more information on their conditions. Although some good websites are available most use medical language which patients have told me confuses them more than it informs. I therefore felt there was a need for a 'plain english' explanation of balance disorders and dizzy spells. I hope Balance Doctor fills that gap. Simply put - Balance Doctor is designed to provide information in an accessible form to patients suffering with balance problems or dizziness. I have purposefully listed the conditions according to symptoms rather than their medical titles (which are in parentheses on each page) as I find patients often come to my balance clinic with a diagnosis given elsewhere that doesn’t necessarily fit their symptom pattern. Alternatively patients come to see me knowing their symptoms, but have been unable to find a website which lists anything that they recognize as similar. Although the list of symptoms is not exhaustive, it captures the majority of balance disorders and vertigo conditions, and I hope, gives a little more insight and reassurance to patients struck down with a sometimes life shattering condition. For those patients who would rather look up a condition by medical diagnosis I recommend looking at the titles in parentheses."
Anil Banerjee
ENT Consultant and Balance Specialist
Ten months ago my life was completely turned upside down when I woke
up one morning and was unable to stand or walk without the room spinning
and being physically sick. I couldn’t lead a normal life and was unable
to work, drive or walk without help. It took almost 3 months of
countless trips to the GP before I was given a referral to see Mr
Banerjee and I have never looked back. On my first visit to Mr Banerjee,
I was immediately left feeling like he knew exactly what I was going
through and more importantly, was able to help me!. I was diagnosed with
several problems including Vestibular Neuritis and BPPV vertigo.
I began to see improvements after each trip to his clinic
and I have been extremely impressed with the care and dedication that I
have received throughout my rehabilitation. I am now back at work full
time and driving again and I will be forever grateful to Mr Banerjee who
has helped me through an extremely difficult and stressful period in my
life. I would highly recommend anyone with similar problems to contact
him as I honestly believe that if it wasn’t for him, I would not have
made the progress that I have done.
Ms C Mars
No warning whatever, sitting watching television, became giddy and violently sick. Lost all sense of balance
Admitted to A & E treated initially for meningitis, then for a stroke following scans both dismissed inner ear infection then discussed and meniers decease diagnosed. Balance still a major problem. Discharged from hospital after one week.
After a further week no progress, balance marginal at best, visited own Doctor, he was unhappy with progress and recommended a specialist Mr A Banerjee. Appointment obtained within the week – a plus for private heath care.
Within a few minutes of questioning at the first appointment with Mr Banerjee it became clear that the diognosis of meniers disease was wrong. The problem was an infection in the inner ear, the channels between the inner ear and the brain being attacked by he thought a virus. This disturbed the liquids and crystals in the inner ear thus disturbing the body’s ability to balance properly. A manipulation of the head took place, unpleasant but not painful, in an attempt to return those misplaced fluids to their proper place. Care for the next 48 hours was necessary to maintain the head in an upright position – no lying down. Ability to balance better returned very quickly but not completely and two weeks later at a further appointment manipulation took place again followed by remaining upright for 48 hours. The next four weeks saw a gradual improvement with balance and general health with head exercises being done on a daily basis.
I have now had two further appointments and have continued the exercise programme. Undoubtedly effective as I believe I am 95% back to normal and whilst I may not get to 100% normal life now exists including driving again. The whole program has taken some four months and I shall be continuing with the exercises for another four weeks. Although I can return to see Mr Banerjee at any time I have been discharged and hopefully will not need to see him again with this problem.
One final point, the meetings with Mr Banerjee instilled a confidence that things would return to normal, a very important factor when considering the frightening events that started off this problem
Mrs B
Leicestershire