Apollo Specialty Hospitals hosted “Pedal4Balance” Cycle Rally
Puducherry: Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram, hosted the “Pedal4Balance” a 150Km Cycle rally from Puducherry to Vanagaram, Chennai today, an impactful awareness initiative addressing vertigo and balance disorders. The Cycle Rally was flagged off by Dr. Rahul Raghavan Menon, CEO & DMS Cluster 2, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai alongside Dr. C. Sylendra Babu, IPS (Rtd.), Ex DGP Tamil Nadu, Prof. Dr. Michael Strupp, Senior Physician at the Neurological Clinic, Ludwig -Maximilians – University Munich, and R Karthik, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, The Sanmar Group.
A team of doctors from across multiple countries took part in the 150Km cycle rally to create awareness on vertigo & balance disorder. Dr. Sylendra Babu, IPS , Ex Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, Prof. Dr. Michael Strupp, MD, Professor of Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology, Munich, Germany, Dr.Dan Dupont Hougaard, Head of Audiovestibular Dept, ENT Specialist, Aalborg University, Denmark, Dr. Vishal Pawar, Sepcialist Neurologist, Prime Healthcare, Dubai, UAE, Dr. Prabash Prabhakaran, HOD & Senior Consultant, Neurology, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram, Commander Dr. Karthik Madesh R, HOD & Senior Consultant, ENT, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram, Dr. Sathishkumar Venkatasamy, HOD & Senior Consultant – Neurology, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, OMR, Chennai, Dr. Venkata Karthikeyan, Senior Consultant – ENT Head & Neck Skullbase Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Dheeraj Reddy P , Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Arulalan, Consultant, Neuro-otology & Skullbase surgery, THANC Hospital, Dr. Aravind , Consultant – Cardiology, Apollo Speciality Hospitals Vanagaram, Dr. J Sampath, Rt. Registrar Pondicherry Central University, actively participated in the 150km, cycle rally starting from the Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Beach Road and concluded at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Vanagaram, Chennai.
Vertigo and balance disorders are increasingly common, with Tamil Nadu witnessing a rise in cases due to lifestyle changes, aging populations, and undiagnosed conditions. Such disorders significantly impact the quality of life, causing dizziness, falls, and other debilitating symptoms. Lack of awareness often leads to delayed diagnosis, making campaigns like “Pedal4Balance” crucial for educating the public and encouraging timely medical intervention.
Dr. Sylendra Babu, IPS, Former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, said, “Awareness and early intervention for vertigo and balance disorders can transform lives. This initiative by Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Vanagaram showcases the importance of collective action in promoting health education and community well-being. Cycling is not just a test of physical endurance but also a testament to mental resilience. This event underscores the importance of maintaining balance in both our physical health and mental well-being. It is heartening to see communities come together for such a meaningful cause.”
Globally, vertigo affects approximately 15-20% of adults annually, with women being more susceptible than men. In Tamil Nadu, the rising elderly population and urban lifestyle factors contribute significantly to the prevalence of balance disorders. Vertigo is particularly common among individuals aged 55 and older, with symptoms like dizziness and imbalance being leading reasons for hospital visits among this demographic.
Speaking during the cycle rally, Dr. Prabash Prabhakaran, HOD & Senior Consultant, Neurology, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram, stated, “Over 90% of all hip fractures are related to falls, balance disorders often go undiagnosed because the symptoms are dismissed as minor or temporary. Through initiatives like ‘Pedal4Balance,’ we aim to educate the public about the importance of seeking expert advice early, ensuring timely interventions that can prevent complications and restore normalcy to patients’ lives.”
Every 35 minutes a senior citizen dies following a fall. One-third of elderly suffer a fall at least once a year. In India, advanced diagnostic tools like video head impulse tests (VHIT), vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), and dynamic post urography are transforming the early detection of vertigo and balance disorders. These techniques help identify underlying causes, ensuring targeted treatments and better outcomes. Apollo Specialty Hospitals has integrated these cutting-edge diagnostics with expert care, offering hope to patients with such conditions. “The aim is to complete 40,075km (earth’s circumference) over next one year combined – as vertigo is a sensation of world spinning around” added Dr. Prabash.
Speaking during the event Dr. Rahul Raghavan Menon, CEO & DMS Cluster 2, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai said, “Vertigo and balance disorders often affect everyday life, but with early detection and proper care, they can be managed effectively thus reducing healthcare burden.This initiative not only promotes awareness about balance disorders but also reflects our mission to empower communities through preventive care and holistic health initiatives.”
Vertigo and imbalance are treatable problems – if identified correctly and treated on time. Vestibular imbalances need to be taken seriously because falls can be fatal and injuries can be painful, leads to long hospital stays, restricted mobility and result in significant loss in quality of life. People (Especially Elderly) do not need to live in fear or falling. These issues are not a normal part or aging, and it’s imperative to spread the word, that treatment is available.
A significant percentage of vertigo patients require multiple healthcare consultations annually, with co-morbid conditions like anxiety increasing the frequency of visits. Hospitalizations for severe vertigo cases are common, with approximately 10% of vestibular vertigo patients needing inpatient care during their lifetime.
Dr. Karthik Madesh R, HOD & Senior Consultant, ENT, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, Vanagaram, said, “Vertigo is more than just dizziness—it’s a condition that can limit independence and mobility. Early detection and treatment are vital for managing its effects. Cycling, as promoted through this initiative, is a practical way to support vestibular health and prevent complications, empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being.”
Through “Pedal4Balance,” Apollo Specialty Hospitals continues to empower communities with the knowledge to prioritize balance health, reinforcing the message that early detection can save lives and improve outcomes.
