Eeg scan what is it

The electrodes don't transmit any sensations. They just record your brain waves. Here are some things you can expect to happen during an EEG :. A technician attaches discs electrodes to your scalp using a special adhesive.

Sometimes, an elastic cap fitted with electrodes is used instead. The electrodes are connected with wires to an instrument that amplifies the brain waves and records them on computer equipment. Once the electrodes are in place, an EEG typically takes up to 60 minutes.

Testing for certain conditions require you to sleep during the test. In that case, the test can be longer. This test can record brain activity over several days, which increases the chances of catching seizure activity.

However, compared to inpatient video- EEG monitoring, an ambulatory EEG is not as good at determining the difference between epileptic seizures and nonepileptic seizures. The technician removes the electrodes or cap. If you had no sedative, you should feel no side effects after the procedure, and you can return to your normal routine.

If you used a sedative, it will take time for the medication to begin to wear off. Arrange to have someone drive you home.

Once the test is completed, the electrodes will be removed and the electrode paste will be washed off with warm water, acetone, or witch hazel. In some cases, you may need to wash your hair again at home. If you took any sedatives for the test, you may be required to rest until the sedatives have worn off. You will need to have someone drive you home. Skin irritation or redness may be present at the locations where the electrodes were placed, but this will wear off in a few hours.

Your healthcare provider will inform you when you may resume any medicines you stopped taking before the test. Your healthcare provider may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. Why might I need an EEG? There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to recommend an EEG. What are the risks of an EEG? Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the reading of an EEG test.

These include: Low blood sugar hypoglycemia caused by fasting Body or eye movement during the tests but this will rarely, if ever, significantly interfere with the interpretation of the test Lights, especially bright or flashing ones Certain medicines, such as sedatives Drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, cola, and tea while these drinks can occasionally alter the EEG results, this almost never interferes significantly with the interpretation of the test Oily hair or the presence of hair spray How do I get ready for an EEG?

Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you and you can ask questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure.

Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear. 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. 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. These are connected by wires to an EEG recording machine. Routine EEG recordings usually take 20 to 40 minutes, although a typical appointment will last about an hour, including some preparation time at the beginning and some time at the end. During the test, you'll be asked to rest quietly and open or close your eyes from time to time.

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. Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Find out what causes it, who's at risk, how it's diagnosed, and more. Giving your child a substance you've been led to believe is harmful and addictive is cause for concern.

But what if it can help them? Epilepsy isn't funny. Neither are seizures. But when you blackout, sometimes you do hilarious things you just have to laugh about. Temporal lobe epilepsy is one of 20 different kinds of epilepsy. It causes seizures that stem from the medial or lateral temporal lobes of the brain. Diabetes can cause long-term damage, from foot to nerve complications. For some people, sleep is disturbed not by dreams but by seizures.

You can have a seizure with any type of epilepsy while you sleep. But with certain…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.