An EEG is a test that detects abnormalities in your brain waves, or in the electrical activity of your brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto your scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity of your brain cells.
What can an EEG tell you?
An electroencephalogram (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.
How do you prepare for an EEG?
Avoid eating or drinking anything containing caffeine for at least eight hours before the test. Your doctor may ask you to sleep as little as possible the night before the test if you have to sleep during the EEG. You may also be given a sedative to help you relax and sleep before the test begins.
How long can you 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.
Why do you have to stay awake before an EEG?
Before you have a sleep-deprived EEG test, your doctor may ask you not to go to sleep at all the night before. Or they may ask you to wake up much earlier than you usually do. When you are tired, there is more chance that there will be unusual electrical activity in your brain.
What happens if EEG is abnormal?
An abnormal EEG means that there is a problem in an area of brain activity. This can offer a clue in diagnosing various neurological conditions. Read 10 Conditions Diagnosed With an EEG to learn more. EEG testing is one part of making a diagnosis.
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.
What are the 3 types of seizures?
The different types of generalized seizures are:
Why would a neurologist order an EEG?
Why It's Done Most EEGs are done to diagnose and monitor seizure disorders. EEGs also can identify causes of other problems, such as sleep disorders and changes in behavior. They're sometimes used to evaluate brain activity after a severe head injury or before a heart transplant or liver transplant.
How expensive is an EEG?
On MDsave, the cost of an EEG (awake and asleep) ranges from $352.00 to $543. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.
Will EEG show previous seizure?
The likelihood of recording a seizure during a routine EEG is small. The EEG generally records brain waves between seizures, called interictal brain waves. These waves may or may not show evidence of seizure activity.
How much does an EEG cost out of pocket?
Average out-of-pocket costs for electroencephalogram (EEG) tests, which can be used to diagnose conditions such as epilepsy, increased from $39 to $112. For MRI scans, they increased from $84 to $242. Office visits increased from an average of $18 to $52.
How long does it take a neurologist to read an EEG?
Sometimes, you may be asked by the doctor to open and close your eyes and to breathe heavily. Lights may be flashed before your eyes. An EEG usually takes from 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Sometimes, a sleep recording is also required.
Can anxiety show up on an EEG?
Increased communication between the amygdala and hippocampus appear to correlate with symptoms of depression and anxiety, in findings that may have treatment implications, new research suggests.
What should you never do when someone is having a seizure?
Abnormal results on an EEG test may be due to:
What are the possible causes for an abnormal EEG?
Abnormal EEG signals include little electrical “explosions” such as the spikes, spike and wave, and sharp waves that are common in Epilepsy even when children are not in the midst of a clinical seizure. Indeed, the EEG is usually done in the interictal state-the time in between clinical seizures.
