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It is important that patient come in with clean and dry hair. A nurse or technician often conducts the EEG test. However, it is important to note that this process is not painful and is more like an inconvenience because it requires a lot of patience and cooperation from the patient’s part while the technician carefully does the preparation work.Īn electroencephalogram can be done at a clinic or hospital. This is due to the large number of measurements, marking and cleaning required during the preparation process. For the placement of the electrodes, no hair removal is required.ĮEG test is painless and the electrodes attach to scalp do not cause any sensations or pain.įor the patient getting ready for the test, the placement of the electrodes is usually the most unpleasant phase of the test. Can also be used before major operations like heart or liver transplantation for patient health assessment.ĮEG is often used in brain research and can be a valuable tool for the researchers when combined with modern diagnostic imaging tools like MRI and CT scanners.Ĭleaning the scalp in preparation for placing the electrodes may give sensations like shaving or hair removal.Diagnosing and monitoring epileptic seizures and brain tumors.When a patient is unconscious or in a coma, EEG can be used to monitor brain activity and rule out brain death.Evaluation of brain activity after head trauma.It is also used for patient evaluation during: Spontaneous loss of consciousness (Syncope), dizziness, confusion.This makes it difficult for the machine to differentiate between various regions of the brain when the electrodes detect a brain activity.Ī doctor may recommend an EEG test if the patient is experiencing any of the following symptoms: On the contrary, EEG machines are very poor at spatial resolution. Right: Abnormal EEG.Ī trained physician looking at an EEG report (electroencephalogram) can interpret the abnormal waves and can diagnose a patient and prescribe the necessary therapeutic action.ĮCG machines can detect millisecond changes in the brain activity and this gives it a bigger advantage over MRI and CT scanners. Any deviation from this known pattern can give indication about abnormalities related to brain function. The brain wave generated by normal electrical activity in the brain can be recognized due to its signature patterns. Jump to: 9 Types of EEG tests for Brain Wave Monitoring An EEG machine is designed to measures brain activity. Medical devices like MRI, CAT scanners and x-rays can be used to produce images of brain and helps in analyzing brain anatomy. It is a non-invasive medical diagnostic tool and the report produced by this medical device is called an electroencephalogram (EEG). However, this information, in combination with other details of your case, can be an important factor in determining an accurate diagnosis.It is a medical device used to monitor and record the electrical activity of the brain within a certain timeframe. An EEG alone will not identify a specific cause for your symptoms. Your test results will be read by a neurologist and a report will be sent to your referring physician. While this may be startling, EEG testing is not harmful and will not cause you pain. The technician may also flash a light in an attempt to change the EEG pattern. During the test, the technician may ask you to perform tasks such as answer questions, relax your jaw, breathe deeply, or open and close your eyes. Children may not accompany you during the test,ĭisruptions such as loud noise will affect EEG results therefore, your test will take place in a quiet exam room or other designated area. Arrange alternate transportation if you will be tired due to lack of sleep.Avoid using hairsprays, conditioners, or oils the day of the test.Bring a complete list of your current medications.When preparing for your EEG, please be aware of the following guidelines for the day of test:
WHAT IS AN EEG TEST HOW TO
Your physician may order a “sleep deprived study.” If required, they will instruct you on how to limit your sleep. You may continue normal activities, including taking your regular prescription medications, unless your physician tells you otherwise. A physician trained in interpreting EEGs is able to associate differences in EEG patterns with various neurological conditions.ĮEG testing requires minimal preparation. During an EEG, this activity is recorded as a unique pattern. An Electroencephalogram, known as EEG, is a neurological test that measures the electrical activity of your brain.