What occurs during an EEG?

 

An EEG is an examination that shows irregularities in the brain waves or electric action of a patient’s brain. During the examination, electrodes that comprise tiny metal discs are stuck on the patient’s scalp. The electrodes notice minute electrical charges that consequence of the action of a patient’s brain cells. The charges are augmented and materialized as a chart on a computer monitor, or as a demo that may be published on paper. The doctor then interprets the recording.

During the examination, the doctor usually assesses around 100 pages of action. The doctor will pay singular care to the rudimentary waveform, but also inspects brief spurts of energy and replies to spurs, such as irregular lights.

Why will a patient require an EEG?

The EEG examination is used by doctors to check for numerous kinds of brain illnesses. If the patient suffers from epilepsy, seizure action will look like rapid skewering waves on the EEG done on equipment made by EEG machine manufacturers. Patients with brain lesions, that may be a consequence of tumor or stroke, could have strangely slow EEG waves, contingent on the magnitude and the site of the lesion. The examination can also be used to identify other illnesses that impact brain activity, such as Alzheimer's illness, certain psychoses, and a sleep complaint called narcolepsy. The EEG examination could also be used to regulate the general brain activities (for instance, to assess shock, drug intemperance, or amount of brain injury in comatose patients).

What are the dangers of an EEG?

The EEG has been used for many years and is measured as a safe process. The examination causes no uneasiness. The electrodes are used to register action and cause no sensation and there is no risk of an electric shock. In rare examples, an EEG can reason seizures in a patient with a seizure illness. This is due to the blinking lights or the deep inhalation that may be tangled during the examination. If the patient has a seizure the doctor will attend to it instantly

What occurs during an EEG?

The examination can be completed on an outpatient basis or while the patient is admitted to the hospital. The process will differ contingent on the illness of the patient and the doctor’s practice. A typical EEG Examination done on equipment made by the EEG manufacturer consists of the following routine:

The patient will be seated on a reclining chair.

16-25 electrodes will be attached to his head with a special glue, or a cap containing the electrodes will be attached to his head.

He will be asked to close his eyes, relax and stay immobile.

Once the test starts, the patient is required to stay immobile during the test’s duration. The doctor will observe the patient from an adjoining room window, to check for any movements that can reason an imprecise reading, such as swallowing or blinking. The footage may be paused sporadically to let the patient relax or relocate himself. Once the initial test is over the doctor may test the patient for various stimulus that does not display while the patient is relaxed. This test can be completed by an EEG technician and takes around 45 minutes to 2 hours to complete. If the patient is being examined for a sleep complaint, the examination will be completed while he is asleep. If the patient is being examined over a lengthier period, the patient will be admitted into the hospital for

prolonged EEG (24-hour EEG) monitoring.

What occurs after an EEG?

Once the examination is finished, the electrodes will be detached and the electrode glue will be showered off with warm water, acetone, or witch hazel. In some instances, the patient could be required to wash his hair again once he gets back home.  If the patient has been recommended sedatives for the test, he will be required to relax till the effect of the sedative wears off and have someone drive him home.

Skin tenderness or rawness may be present at the sites where the electrodes were positioned, but this lasts only a few hours.