Dizziness Treatment in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC
Dizziness is a symptom many people experience, but when it becomes recurrent or severe, it may signal an underlying neurological issue. At Carolina Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery Associates, our team understands how disorienting and frightening persistent dizziness or balance problems can be. We approach every patient with empathy, listening carefully to symptoms, ruling out life-threatening causes, and guiding them toward the correct diagnostic path and treatment plan.
Dizziness can manifest in different ways: as vertigo (the sensation that the environment is spinning), disequilibrium (imbalance while walking), lightheadedness, or feeling faint. These variations may point toward different parts of the nervous system. Our neurologists consider inner ear (vestibular) problems, brainstem or cerebellar dysfunction, vascular causes, migraine-associated dizziness, or even side effects of medications as possible contributors.
Diagnostic Approach for Dizziness at CONA
When you visit the Carolina Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery Associates for dizziness, we begin by taking a detailed history: onset, duration, triggering factors (such as turning over in bed, changes in head position, or loud noises), associated symptoms (such as hearing changes, tinnitus, visual disturbances, or nausea), and medication use. We then perform a complete neurological examination, testing coordination, cranial nerves, gait, and balance.
To pinpoint the underlying cause, we may order imaging studies such as MRI or CT to rule out stroke, mass lesions, or structural abnormalities. Vestibular testing, including videonystagmography (VNG), electronystagmography (ENG), or rotational chair testing, may assess inner ear function and eye movement responses. In some cases, auditory tests or vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) may be used. Blood work and cardiovascular evaluation can help exclude metabolic or vascular contributors to dizziness.
Treatment and Management of Dizziness
Once the cause is identified, our goal is to restore stability and quality of life. For vestibular causes, we may refer you for vestibular rehabilitation therapy—a specialized physical therapy approach designed to retrain the balance system and reduce symptoms. Medications such as vestibular suppressants, antiemetics, or migraine prophylactics may be prescribed in specific situations.
When dizziness is tied to migraine or vascular issues, we collaborate with your primary care or headache specialists to optimize therapy. In rare cases where structural lesions or vascular abnormalities are found, we coordinate with neurosurgery or interventional teams within CONA to ensure seamless care.
Beyond medical and therapeutic interventions, we believe in educating patients. We provide guidance on home safety (how to prevent falls), activity pacing, hydration, avoiding triggers, and when to seek emergency care. We also schedule close follow-ups to monitor progress and adjust the care plan as needed, always involving you in decisions about your treatment path.
Dizziness Treatment at Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurological Associates
Choosing Carolina Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery Associates means you are treated as a whole person, not just a list of symptoms. You receive access to board-certified neurologists, advanced diagnostic technology, and coordinated care across related specialties (neurosurgery, ENT, physical therapy) all under one roof. Our footprint in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville ensures that patients across Upstate South Carolina can access expert neurological evaluation close to home. We strive to provide clarity, relief, and reassurance for people confronting dizziness, helping them regain balance and confidence in their daily lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Sudden-Onset Dizziness and Spinning?
Sudden onset spinning or dizziness is often associated with vestibular causes such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, or Meniere’s disease. However, abrupt dizziness could also suggest neurological or vascular issues like stroke, so prompt evaluation is important.
How is Chronic Dizziness Treated When No Clear Cause is Found?
Even in cases where a definitive diagnosis is elusive, symptomatic and rehabilitative strategies such as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, balance training, lifestyle modifications, and medications to manage symptoms can offer significant relief and improve function over time.
When Should I Go to the Emergency Room for Dizziness?
You should seek immediate medical attention if dizziness is accompanied by sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, severe headache, double vision, loss of coordination, or fainting. These may indicate a neurological emergency and require rapid assessment.
