Can You Eat Or Drink Before An EEG?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


Do not eat or drink anything with caffeine in it for 12 hours before the test

. This includes cola, energy drinks, and chocolate. Shampoo your hair and rinse with clear water the evening before or the morning of the test. Do not put any hair conditioner or oil on after you wash your hair.

Do you need to fast before an EEG?


Avoid consuming any food or drinks containing caffeine for 8 to 12 hours before the test

. Follow any directions your healthcare provider gives you about reducing your sleep the night before the test. Some EEG tests require that you sleep through the procedure, and some do not.

What should you do the night before an EEG?

  1. Wash your hair the night before or the day of the test, but don't use conditioners, hair creams, sprays or styling gels. …
  2. If you're supposed to sleep during your EEG test, your doctor might ask you to sleep less or avoid sleep the night before your test.

What happens if you drink coffee before an EEG?

Drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, cola, and tea. While these drinks can sometimes change the EEG results, they

almost never interfere significantly with the interpretation

of the test.

What happens if you sleep before an EEG?

Your doctor might ask you to have less sleep than usual before you have some types of EEG tests. This is done to

increase the chances of catching abnormal activity during the test

. This might also increase the risk that you would have a seizure around the time of having the test.

What should you not do before an EEG?


Do not eat or drink anything with caffeine in it for 12 hours

before the test. This includes cola, energy drinks, and chocolate. Shampoo your hair and rinse with clear water the evening before or the morning of the test. Do not put any hair conditioner or oil on after you wash your hair.

Can an EEG detect anxiety?

EEG has also been used in the diagnosis of

mental disorders

, such as anxiety [28–30], psychosis [31–34], and depression [35–38].

What will an EEG diagnose?

An (EEG) is a noninvasive test that records electrical patterns in your brain. The test is used to help diagnose conditions such as

seizures, epilepsy, head injuries, dizziness, headaches, brain tumors and sleeping problems

. It can also be used to confirm brain death.

Why do they flash lights during EEG?

In some cases, a strobe light may be used during an EEG test. This aims

to detect if this alters the electrical pattern in the brain

. (Usually it does not. However, a small number of people have seizures triggered by flickering or strobe lights and so this may help to identify these people.)

Which is better EEG or MRI?

In general,

MRI is good at telling us where the lesion is

, whereas EEG is good at separating normal and abnormal primarily cortical function. The topologic usefulness of EEG is limited, although it may be improved with computerization.

How long does a EEG test take?

Routine EEG recordings usually take

20 to 40 minutes

, although a typical appointment will last about an hour, including some preparation time at the beginning and some time at the end. Other types of EEG recording may take longer.

Can you drive after an EEG test?

After your EEG, the technician will remove the electrodes and clean your scalp. Your hair and skin may feel sticky, so you'll want to wash your hair at home.

You can drive and return to your usual activities unless your healthcare provider says you shouldn't

.

Can an EEG detect past seizures?

The EEG generally records brain waves between seizures, called interictal brain waves. These waves

may or may not show evidence of seizure activity

.

How many hours can I sleep before an EEG?

Your doctor may ask you not to sleep the night before the test or to sleep for only

about 4 or 5 hours

. This is because some types of the brain's electrical activity can't be found unless you are asleep. If you know that you are going to have a sleep-deprived EEG, plan to have someone drive you to and from the test.

How much does an EEG cost?

For patients not covered by health insurance, an EEG typically costs

$200-$700 or more

for a standard EEG — or up to $3,000 or more if extended monitoring is required.

What do you wear to an EEG?

Routine EEG

Wear

comfortable clothing

. Shampoo and dry hair without using sprays, gels or oils. No braids or intricate hair designs as they will need to be removed prior to the test. Continue taking medications as prescribed by your physician.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.