EEG Full Form

The brain determines and controls every action a body takes. It acts as the core of the human body. Every neuron that runs through the body is ultimately connected to the brain. The brain determines the chemicals that should be released and the reflexes during emergencies. Any defect in a small brain region shows severe effects on our body. It affects the regular functioning of the human body. An electroencephalogram (EEG) test is taken to record such problems. This article will look at EEG, why it is used, the side effects of taking an EEG, how to prepare ourselves before taking an EEG, and what exactly happens during an EEG. This article will cover everything that you need to know about EEG.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

EEG is a diagnostic test; it measures the electrical impulses in the brain. This test detects abnormalities of the brain or electrical impulses in the brain. Connecting electrodes of small discs onto the scalp carry out this test. These electrodes measure the electrical reading of the brain caused by activities involving brain cells. These measured charges are amplified and appear as a graph on paper or computer screen, which the health care provider interprets.

An EEG is taken for nearly 100 pages or computer screens. The health care provider pays special attention to the basic waveform and examines the brief burst of energies, responding to the flashing lights. This study also measures the electrical activity of your brain to stimulations like sound, touch, smell.

Reasons to take an EEG

EEG is used to measure different types of brain disorders. EEG is used to measure the complete electrical activity of the brain; it includes trauma, brain damage, drug intoxication). It is used to measure the blood flow through the brain during surgery.  A person with lesions can lead to stroke or tumours; if so, EEG waves recorded would be slow, depending on the location and size. Epilepsy is recorded as rapid striking waves. This test can also diagnose other disorders that influence brain activity, like narcolepsy (sleep disorder), Alzheimer’s disease, and psychoses.

Prepare yourself before an EEG

Usually, your health care provider gives you clear-cut information on what to do before an EEG. These are some common steps that every patient should do before taking an EEG:

• Ask your health care provider about the procedures involved and clarify the doubts regarding EEG
• Do not use hair care products like gel or hair spray, do not apply conditioner to your hair the night before the test
•  Let your healthcare provider know about the medications you have been taking
• Your health care provider may ask you to discontinue a few medicines as they may interfere with the tests
• Do not stop the medication without consulting your healthcare provider
• Don’t take caffeine products 8 to 12 hours before the test
• Don’t fast the night before the test, as low sugar levels in the blood can affect the result
• Health care providers may ask you to do other specific preparations before the test
• Sleep schedule before the test should be taken seriously, as it influences the results.    For some EEG tests, you will be asked to sleep the night peacefully before but for some tests, you should only sleep for 4 to 5 hours. Get a proper explanation from your healthcare provider.

Procedures involved in EEG

The procedures involved in EEG vary depending on your health condition. Generally, EEG follows the following steps:

1. You will be made to sit on a chair or bed and relax for a while before the test.
2.  Around 20 electrodes will be pasted onto your scalp, or a cap that has the electrodes will be used.
3. You asked to close your eyes, sit back and relax.
4. Once the recording begins, you should remain still. The health care provider will observe the readings from another room, noting any movements that may cause inaccurate readings for actions such as blinking or swallowing.
5. After the initial test, you’ll be tested while producing various stimuli to produce electrical signals that may not have been recorded during resting.
6. This study usually takes around 1 to 2 hours.
7. Depending on your condition, you may even be asked to undergo a 24-hour EEG monitoring.
8. In case you are admitted for a sleeping disorder, you’ll be tested while you are asleep.

Conclusion

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a relatively fast, cheap, and safest method to check the brain’s functioning. It has precise time measurements compared to other tests. EEG observation is so accurate that it observes the brain activity near one millisecond. The main drawback of this test is to figure out the portion in the brain from which it is releasing the electrical activity.