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.
What can mess up an EEG?
Lights, especially bright or flashing ones. Certain medicines, such as
sedatives
.
Drinks containing caffeine
, such as coffee, cola, and tea (while these drinks can occasionally alter the EEG results, this almost never interferes significantly with the interpretation of the test) Oily hair or the presence of hair spray.
How do I prepare for an EEG test?
- Wash your hair the night before or the day of the test, but don’t use conditioners, hair creams, sprays or styling gels. …
- 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.
How long does it take for an EEG?
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.
What happens if you have caffeine 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.
Oily hair or the presence of hair spray
.
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 does a normal EEG rule out?
An EEG is used to detect problems in the electrical activity of the brain that may be associated with certain brain disorders. The measurements given by an EEG are used to confirm or rule out various conditions, including:
seizure disorders (such as epilepsy) head injury
.
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.)
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?
Abnormal EEG results can show up in two ways. First,
normal brain activity may be suddenly interrupted and changed
. This happens in epileptic seizures. In partial seizures, only part of the brain shows the sudden interruption.
Do you get EEG results right away?
The EEG recording must be analysed by a neurologist, who then
sends the results to your doctor
. It is important to make a follow-up appointment with your doctor. In many cases, the test results are sent to your doctor within 48 hours of the test. Treatment depends on the diagnosis.
Can an EEG show a past seizure?
An EEG can usually show if you are having a seizure at the time of the test
, but it can’t show what happens to your brain at any other time. So even though your test results might not show any unusual activity it does not rule out having epilepsy. Some types of epilepsy are very difficult to identify with an EEG.
What are the 3 types of seizures?
- Generalized onset seizures:
- Focal onset seizures:
- Unknown onset seizures:
Is it OK to eat 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.
How much does an EEG cost?
The cost of an EEG Procedure varies. It depends whether you have or don’t have insurance, and sometimes what city you live in. Costs for an EEG Test can range from
$200 to $3, 000 or more
.
What do you wear to an EEG?
You should wear
comfortable clothing
while your ambulatory EEG is being performed. Sweat pants and a loose fitting top with buttons down the front are suggested. Tight fitting sleeves and pull over tops will not be permitted. Do not attempt to pull a shirt or other clothing over your head during the ambulatory EEG.
