Purpose of the Electroencephalogram (EEG)
This procedure helps to establish the cause of changes in the patient's health condition and enables accurate diagnosis.
EEG is mainly used to:
- Determine the depth of damage in brain areas during seizures and epilepsy.
- Locate the area of damage.
- Assess the nature of neurological symptoms (such as fainting, panic attacks, numbness of the upper and lower limbs).
- Detect changes in paroxysmal epileptic activity.
- Monitor the effectiveness of treatment for nervous system and brain diseases to adjust the treatment regimen if necessary.
- Analyze the dynamics of the rehabilitation process.
A treating cardiologist may also prescribe an EEG when symptoms of heart disease appear.
When is an EEG performed?
Procedure Process:
The EEG is performed in a special room that is free from noise and light, typically in the morning or during the day, except when studying sleep phases.
- Electrode placement: Electrodes filled with a conductive substance are attached to the patient's scalp.
- Initial testing: The specialist asks the patient to open and close their eyes several times to analyze any irregularities that appear on the curve.
- Relaxation phase: The patient should relax, close their eyes, and remain still, as any movement can affect the accuracy of the results.
- Stress testing: To evaluate brain function under stress, the patient is asked to take deep breaths for three minutes while their response to light flashes is monitored.
Contraindications
EEG is an informative and completely painless method for detecting deviations in brain and nervous system function. Hospitalization is not required—everything is done on an outpatient basis. EEG is suitable for all ages.
The procedure should not be performed if there is damage to the epidermis of the scalp that interferes with the placement of electrodes.
Results may be distorted if the patient has a cough, nasal congestion, or fever during the procedure. It is better to wait until there are no distractions during the EEG.