EEG
EEG monitoring evaluates seizures and neurological and behavioral disorders. The results are used to plan appropriate treatment for the patient.
In an EEG, electrodes are placed on the scalp over multiple areas of the brain to detect and record patterns of electrical activity and check for abnormalities. Brain cells communicate by producing tiny electrical impulses and an EEG can record these communications.
The test is performed by an EEG technologist in a specially designed room that may be in your health care provider's office or at a hospital. The technologist will apply between 16 and 25 flat metal discs (electrodes) in different positions on your scalp. Held in place by a paste, the electrodes are connected to the EEG machine. The EEG records brain activity. The recording machine converts the electrical signals produced in your brain into an image of wavy lines that are drawn onto a moving piece of graph paper.
A routine EEG will take approximately one hour to complete. In some cases, a longer period of monitoring may be required. The patients are sometimes monitored for a length of time determined by the doctor, usually 23 - 72 hours.
Sometimes the patient is asked to do certain things during the recording, such as breathe deeply and rapidly for several minutes or look at a bright flickering light.
The recording is then evaluated by a neurologist and an appropriate course of treatment will be determined.
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Why have an EEG?
There are many reason your doctor would recommend an EEG, including;
diagnosing epilepsy and
To determine the type of seizures are occurring,
To determine if the patient is having problems with loss of consciousness,
To determine any sleep disorders and
To determine if a patients problem is a physical problem ( brain, spinal cord, etc) or a mental health problem.
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