EEG

What is an EEG?

An EEG involves the use of small metal disks, known as electrodes, which are strategically placed on the scalp to capture the brain’s electrical signals. These electrodes are interconnected by wires to a machine that records and displays the brain’s activity. As the electrodes detect electrical impulses produced by neuron activity, they relay this information to the EEG machine, which translates it into wave patterns that reflect brain function. The American Wellness Center in Dubai Healthcare City utilizes state-of-the-art equipment specifically designed for EEG procedures, ensuring high-quality and accurate readings.

Purpose of an EEG

The primary reason for performing an EEG is to assess seizure activity, particularly in the context of epilepsy. However, EEGs are also instrumental in monitoring brain health and identifying issues causing specific neurological symptoms. Common conditions that may be evaluated through EEG include:

– Dementia: To understand alterations in brain function associated with cognitive decline.

– Brain Injury: To assess brain activity following trauma.

– Infections: To identify changes in brain waves due to infections affecting the central nervous system.

– Tumors: To evaluate the impact of tumors on brain function.

– Behavioral Disorders: To investigate potential neurological causes of behavioral changes.

– **Attention Disorders:** To evaluate the brain activity of individuals experiencing attention-related challenges.

Additionally, EEGs are invaluable tools in diagnosing the underlying causes of symptoms, including:

– Confusion: Understanding fluctuations in mental clarity or awareness.

– Fainting (Syncope): Determining whether seizure activity is responsible for unexplained loss of consciousness.

– Memory Loss: Assessing brain function related to memory processing.

– Seizures: Monitoring the occurrence and characteristics of seizures to optimize treatment approaches.

– Epilepsy: Confirming the diagnosis of epilepsy through recorded seizure patterns.

Who Performs an EEG?

At the Sehat Healthcare, highly trained EEG technicians conduct the EEGs. They possess specialized knowledge and skills to ensure the procedure is performed accurately and efficiently while maintaining patient comfort throughout the process.

How Does an EEG Work?

During an EEG, electrodes are affixed to your scalp using a special adhesive designed to securely hold them in place. These electrodes measure electrical signals as they travel between different brain regions, capturing the spontaneous electrical activity of the brain, including both resting and active states. The recorded signals are transmitted to an EEG machine, which processes and displays the data as waveforms.

The resulting waveforms on the EEG are visually represented on a monitor or paper printout, illustrating the brain’s activity over the duration of the test. These wave patterns are categorized based on their frequency and amplitude, reflecting the brain’s functionality during wakefulness and sleep. Changes in these patterns may suggest abnormal activity, particularly during seizure episodes.

Results and Follow-Up

Once the EEG test is completed, our qualified clinicians will meticulously review the recorded brain wave patterns to determine their significance. The results will be classified as either normal or abnormal, based on the observed wave patterns across different leads. Our clinicians will compile a detailed report summarizing the findings and explain these results to you during a follow-up appointment. They will also provide recommendations for further evaluation or treatment based on the test results and your specific diagnosis.

 Types of EEG Tests

There are several types of EEG tests, each designed to provide varying levels of detail based on your medical needs:

1. Routine EEG: Generally lasts about 40 minutes, where you may be instructed to perform specific tasks, such as breathing rapidly or gazing at flashing lights, to provoke brain activity. This test primarily identifies any seizure activity and records brain function at rest.

2. Prolonged EEG: This test usually lasts for one hour and 15 minutes but may extend for several days depending on the complexity of your condition. It provides more comprehensive information than the routine EEG and is often employed to diagnose or manage seizure disorders. Prolonged EEGs typically include continuous video monitoring to correlate any observed seizures with the brain activity recorded.

3. Ambulatory EEG: Conducted over one to three days, this type of EEG allows you to carry on with daily activities while wearing a portable EEG recorder. Electrodes are applied to your scalp, which connect to the recorder that you carry or wear. This method enables your healthcare provider to monitor brain activity in a more natural setting, and you or a family member can activate the event button if you experience any symptoms.

4. Video EEG: This procedure combines EEG monitoring with video recording, allowing the technician to capture visual information during the test. It helps the healthcare provider understand what happens during a seizure or other significant brain events. It may also be referred to as EEG monitoring, EEG telemetry, or video EEG monitoring.

5. Sleep EEG: During a sleep EEG, a technician will record brain activity while you are asleep. This test is conducted if a routine EEG does not yield sufficient information, particularly if your healthcare provider suspects sleep disorders. The sleep study may take place in a specialized sleep center to monitor various sleep-related brain activities accurately.

How to Prepare for an EEG

Preparation for an EEG may involve:

– Washing your hair the night before the procedure, ensuring that you do not apply any conditioners, sprays, or styling products, as these can interfere with electrode adhesion.

– Abstaining from caffeine—in beverages such as coffee, black tea, and energy drinks—for at least eight hours before the test. This is important to avoid any potential alterations in brain activity.

– Following your healthcare provider’s instructions meticulously, including any adjustments concerning your medications leading up to the EEG.

What to Expect During an EEG

As you prepare for the EEG:

– You will be comfortably positioned on a sofa or recliner in a quiet room.

– The technician will carefully place electrodes on your scalp using a specialized adhesive, ensuring a secure fit for effective recording.

– You will be encouraged to relax with your eyes either closed or open, depending on the technician’s guidance.

– To assess how your brain responds to stimulation, you may be directed to watch a bright light or given other instructions that may induce a change in brain activity.

– If you experience a seizure during the EEG, it will be accurately recorded by the machine for evaluation.

In routine EEGs, the recording typically lasts around 40 minutes, during which the technician aims to capture a variety of brain states, including periods of drowsiness or quiet sleep. For longer EEG studies, technicians will strive to obtain a more extensive recording of sleep patterns and overall brain activity, often lasting for an hour and 15 minutes or more. During an ambulatory EEG, you will wear the portable recorder for one to three days, allowing for a wider variety of brain activity to be monitored in a naturalistic setting.

After an EEG

Once the EEG is completed, the technician will carefully detach the electrodes, and you will be free to return to your regular activities. You can expect follow-up guidance based on the results of the EEG, with further steps and recommendations provided by your clinician tailored to your specific situation and health needs.