Your doctor may schedule an appointment to go over the test results with you. Electrical activity in the brain appears in an EEG as a pattern of waves. Different levels of consciousness, like sleeping and waking, have a specific range of frequencies of waves per second that are considered normal.
The EEG will show if the frequency of waves or patterns is normal. Before you review the results, it may be helpful to write down any questions you might want to ask. An EEG is a test that measures your brain waves and helps detect abnormal brain activity. The results of an EEG can be used to rule out or confirm conditions, such as epilepsy, a brain tumor, or a stroke.
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During the test, small sensors are attached to the scalp to pick up the electrical signals produced when brain cells send messages to each other. These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor later to see if they're unusual. The EEG procedure is usually carried out by a highly trained specialist, called a clinical neurophysiologist, during a short visit to hospital.
It may help identify the cause of certain symptoms — such as seizures fits or memory problems — or find out more about a condition you've already been diagnosed with.
The main use of an EEG is to detect and investigate epilepsy , a condition that causes repeated seizures. An EEG will help your doctor identify the type of epilepsy you have, what may be triggering your seizures and how best to treat you. Less often, an EEG may be used to investigate other problems, such as dementia , head injuries , brain tumours , encephalitis brain inflammation and sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea.
Unless told otherwise, you can usually eat and drink beforehand and continue to take all your normal medication. To help the sensors stick to your scalp more easily, you should make sure your hair is clean and dry before arriving for your appointment, and avoid using products such as hair gel and wax. You might want to bring a hairbrush or comb with you, as your hair may be a bit messy when the test is finished.
Some people bring a hat to cover their hair until they can wash it at home afterwards. There are several different ways an EEG recording can be taken. The clinical neurophysiologist will explain the procedure to you and can answer any questions you have.
You'll also be asked whether you give permission consent for the various parts of the test to be carried out.
Before the test starts, your scalp will be cleaned and about 20 small sensors called electrodes will be attached using a special glue or paste. Wash your hair with shampoo, but do not use a conditioner the night before the test. Do not use any hair care products, such as hairspray or gels. Tell your healthcare provider of all medicines prescription and over-the-counter and herbal supplements that you are taking.
Discontinue using medicines that may interfere with the test if your healthcare provider has directed you to do so.
Do not stop using medicines without first consulting your healthcare provider. Avoid consuming any food or drinks containing caffeine for 8 to 12 hours before the test.
Follow any directions your healthcare provider gives you about reducing your sleep the night before the test. Some EEG tests require that you sleep through the procedure, and some do not. If the EEG is to be done during sleep, adults may not be allowed to sleep more than 4 or 5 hours the night before the test. Children may not be allowed to sleep for more than 5 to 7 hours the night before. Avoid fasting the night before or the day of the procedure. Low blood sugar may influence the results.
Based on your medical condition, your healthcare provider may request other specific preparations. What happens during an EEG? Generally, an EEG procedure follows this process: You will be asked to relax in a reclining chair or lie on a bed. Between 16 and 25 electrodes will be attached to your scalp with a special paste, or a cap containing the electrodes will be used.
You will be asked to close your eyes, relax, and be still. Once the recording begins, you will need to remain still throughout the test. Your healthcare provider may monitor you through a window in an adjoining room to observe any movements that can cause an inaccurate reading, such as swallowing or blinking.
The recording may be stopped periodically to let you rest or reposition yourself. After your healthcare provider does the initial recording while you are at rest, he or she may test you with various stimuli to produce brain wave activity that does not show up while you are resting. For example, you may be asked to breathe deeply and rapidly for 3 minutes, or you may be exposed to a bright flashing light. This study is generally done by an EEG technician and may take approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours.
If you are being evaluated for a sleep disorder, the EEG may be done while you are asleep.
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