What Are the Kinds of EEG Examinations?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a chronicling of brain activity. During this painless test, small sensors are devoted to the scalp to pick up the electrical signals fashioned by the brain. These signals are logged by a machine made by EEG Machine Manufacturers and are looked at by a doctor. The EEG procedure is typically carried out by a highly trained specialist, named a medical neurophysiologist, during a short hospital visit.

Why is an EEG Required?

An EEG can be used to help identify and screen several disorders affecting the brain. It may help recognize the reason for certain indications – such as seizures (fits) or memory glitches – or find out more about a disorder you've already been identified with.

The main use of an EEG is to notice and examine epilepsy, a condition that reasons recurrent seizures. An EEG will benefit your doctor recognize the kind of epilepsy you have, what may be activating your seizures and how best to treat you.

Less often, an EEG may be used to examine other glitches, such as:

dementia

head wound and concussion

brain cancers

encephalitis (brain irritation)

sleep complaints, such as sleep apnoea.

How is the test done?

There are numerous different ways EEG detailing can be taken. The medical neurophysiologist will elucidate the procedure to you and can answer any questions you have. You'll also be asked whether you accord to treatment for the numerous parts of the examination to be carried out. This may comprise video agreement for some EEGs. Before the examination starts, your scalp will be gutted and about 20 small sensors called electrodes will be attached using a special adhesive or paste. These are linked by wires to an EEG recording machine made by EEG Manufacturers.

Routine EEG recordings typically take 20 to 40 minutes, although an archetypal appointment will last about an hour, counting some preparation time at the beginning and some time in the end.

Kinds of EEG

Regular EEG

A Regular EEG recording lasts for about 20 to 40 minutes. During the examination, you'll be requested to rest silently. You will typically be requested to open or close your eyes from time to time. In most circumstances, you'll also be requested to respire in and out deeply (named hyperventilation) for a few minutes. A blinking light may also be used to see if this disturbs your brain activity.

Sleep EEG or sleep-deprived EEG

A slumber EEG is carried out while you're sleeping. It may be used if a regular EEG does not give enough evidence, or for trial for sleep complaints. In some cases, you may be requested to stay wide awake the night before the examination to help safeguard you can snooze while it's carried out. This is named a sleep-deprived EEG.

Ambulatory EEG

An ambulatory EEG is where brain activity is logged throughout the day and night over one or more days. The electrodes will be devoted to a minor portable EEG recorder that can be trimmed onto your clothing. You can endure most of your regular daily activities while the footage is being taken, although you'll need to evade getting the equipment wet.

Video telemetry

Video telemetry, also named video EEG, is a superior kind of EEG where you're recorded while an EEG recording is taken. This can help offer more evidence about your brain activity. The examination is typically carried out over a few days while remaining in a purpose-built hospital complement. The EEG signals are conveyed wirelessly to a computer. The video is also logged by the computer and kept under steady investigation by trained staff.

Invasive EEG-telemetry

This EEG is not shared, but it may be used to check if surgery is likely for some people with more intricate epilepsy. It includes surgery to position electrodes straight on the brain to find out precisely where the seizures are coming from.

What occurs after an EEG?

When the examination is ended, the electrodes will be detached and your scalp will be gutted. Your hair will probably still be a bit tacky and disordered afterward, so you may want to wash it when you get home. You can typically go home soon after the examination is over and return to your normal activities. You might feel weary after the examination, mainly if you had a sleep or sleep-deprived EEG, so you may want somebody to pick you up from the hospital. You usually will not get your consequences on the same day. The recordings will need to be examined first and will be referred to the doctor who entreated the test. They can deliberate the consequences with you a few days or weeks later.