Imagine that feeling when you suddenly stand up or turn your head from side to side and the whole world feels like it's spinning. Some people also experience pressure in their ears and a ringing in their ears. Do you have any of these symptoms? Then your doctor will probably ask you to do a test called VNG. What exactly is VNG? Let's talk about it simply.
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Simply put, what is the VNG test?
VNG, which stands for Videonystagmography, is a test that examines the vestibular system, the system that controls our body's balance. This system is what keeps us upright and helps us maintain our balance when we walk and move.
This test mainly checks whether you have a condition called nystagmus in your eyes. Simply put, nystagmus is the rapid, involuntary movement of your eyes back and forth, up and down, or in a circular motion. Nystagmus can occur when there is a problem with the balance system in your inner ear. This is because the inner ear sends information about your position, position, and movement to your brain.
What kind of symptoms are indicated for this test?
If you experience one or more of the symptoms below frequently, your doctor may recommend this test.
- Feeling like the whole world is spinning around you (Vertigo)
- Dizziness
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded
- Feeling of pressure and heaviness inside the ears
- Ringing sound / Tinnitus
There are several medical conditions that can cause these symptoms. See the table below.
| Medical condition | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Acoustic neuroma | A non-cancerous tumor that develops on a nerve that runs from the ear to the brain. |
| Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) | A severe, short-term dizziness that occurs when the head is turned to a specific position. |
| Labyrinthitis | An infection or swelling in the inner ear. |
| Ménière's disease | A condition caused by increased fluid pressure in the inner ear. |
| Vestibular neuritis | A swelling of the nerve related to balance. |
How is this VNG test done?
It's very simple. This test involves watching your eye movements. For this, you will be given a pair of special glasses (goggles). These glasses have a small camera or cameras attached to them. These cameras record how you move your eyes during different stages of the test.
Do you need to prepare before the test?
This is a very safe and simple test. There are no major side effects. However, some people may feel a little nauseous after the test. Therefore, your doctor will tell you to eat a light meal before the test.
Another important thing to remember is that since this test stimulates your inner ear's balance system, you may feel dizzy for a while after the test. Therefore, it's best to have someone drive you home. This is something you should definitely keep in mind.
What happens during the test?
You will be made to lie down in a chair or bed in a dark room. Then, special goggles will be placed on your head. The person doing the test will clearly explain what you need to do. There are usually three main parts to this test.
| Part of the test | What is being done |
|---|---|
| Ocular testing | You are told to stare at various dots or patterns on a TV screen in front of you, without moving your head. |
| Positional testing | You will be asked to turn your head and body in different directions. You may need to lie down in bed, stand up, or turn to your side. |
| Caloric testing (ear stimulation testing) | A small amount of warm or cold water or air is passed into each of your ears, one at a time. This stimulates the inner ear and causes nystagmus (eye movements). |
This entire test usually takes about an hour .
What do the results say?
The VNG test records your involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). For example, if your eyes experience nystagmus when you move your head and body into different positions (positional testing), it may indicate a condition like BPPV.
The VNG test is just one important step on the journey to finding the cause of your dizziness.
But remember this: This test alone cannot tell you exactly what your condition is. Your doctor will use the information from this to perform further tests to determine the exact cause. So, talk to your doctor about the test results. He or she will explain everything to you.
Can the VNG test detect Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
The straight answer is no. VNG is not a test that diagnoses Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Other specialized tests, such as MRI scans and OCT scans, are used for that.
So, if your doctor tells you to do a VNG because you're constantly experiencing dizziness, don't be afraid. It's a painless, low-risk test. It can help you find the cause of your symptoms.
💡 Take-Home Message
- A VNG is a test that looks for problems related to your body's balance (especially dizziness).
- This mainly looks for nystagmus, which is uncontrolled eye movement.
- This is a safe test, but you may feel a little dizzy after the test, so it's important to have someone accompany you home.
- During the test, you will look at a screen, shake your head, and have a small amount of water or air put in your ear.
- The results give your doctor important clues about your condition, but further tests may be needed to reach a final conclusion.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have.
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