| An EEG
(electroencephalogram) is used to help diagnose the presence
and type of seizure disorders, confusion, head injuries, brain tumors,
infections, degenerative diseases, and metabolic disturbances that
affect the brain. It is also used to evaluate sleep disorders and to
investigate periods of unconsciousness.
An EEG may be done to confirm
brain death in a comatose patient. The procedure cannot be used to
"read the mind," measure intelligence, or diagnose mental
illness.
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Wash your hair the
night before the test. No oils, sprays, or lotion should be used on
your hair. |
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You may be asked
to discontinue some medications before the test. |
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Avoid all foods
containing caffeine for 8 hours before the test. |
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It may be
necessary to sleep during the test, so you may be asked to reduce your
sleep time the night before.
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Performed by an EEG technician in a
specially-designed room |
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You will be positioned on your back on
a table or in a reclining chair. |
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Technician applies between 16 and 25
flat metal discs (electrodes) in different positions on your
scalp. |
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The discs are held in place with a
sticky paste. The electrodes are connected by wires to an amplifier
and the recording machine which converts the electrical signals into a
series of wavy lines which are drawn onto a moving piece of graph
paper. |
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| Nothing is felt during the
procedure. |
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