Medical Center MEDICA 2005
If you are being referred for an electroencephalography test, you will find below brief information about this diagnostic procedure.
The electroencephalography records the brain electrical activity. Many of the nerve cells that make up the brain produce constant electrical activity when a person is awake, asleep, or even in a coma. This activity can be recorded by placing 20 small metal discs, called electrodes, which are attached to the scalp using a special paste or a plastic soft helmet.
A routine EEG does not have any significant effect on your condition during or after the test. An EEG examination can be performed in a sitting or lying position. You will be instructed to open or close your eyes from time to time, during which a recording of the brain activity takes place. During the test, you will be instructed to take deep breaths in and out for several minutes (hyperventilation), and at the end of the test, flashing light stimuli of different frequencies may be applied (photostimulation). An EEG usually lasts about 20 minutes.
In some cases, it is necessary to an EEG to be carried out during sleep. You will make this decision with your referral specialist. You need to stay awake the night before the EEG examination, and you are expected to be asleep for about 1 hour before the examination itself. It is important that you do not drive before the recording takes place, as you will feel very exhausted. You are expected to stay in the Center for about 90 minutes.
If you are referred for a sleep EEG after taking melatonin, please familiarize yourself with the information provided about this natural product that subtly changes your body clock for a short time. It does not come with any side effects. In this case, it is necessary to reduce your sleep twice before the test and take a melatonin tablet upon arrival at the Center. Please arrive 30 minutes before the examination. You will not be able to drive after the test, so you must make sure you get home.
No special preparations are required, and you should not stop taking antiepileptic drugs or other such if you are not instructed to do so by the referring specialist. Please come with clean and dry hair, refraining from applying conditioners and hair gels. You may want to bring a hat to use after the test, as the hair feels sticky until washed. If you are referred for a sleep EEG, please refrain from consuming coffee, tea or stimulants before the test.
If you suffer from conditions affecting the skin of the scalp, please inform us and call 02/4444455.
The test results will be provided to the patient or sent to the referring specialist within 1 week. They will not be ready on the day of the examination, as our specialists need time to analyze the findings.
The results may be sent to the referring specialist/GP. In case you have not directed otherwise, the information obtained may be used for research purposes.
No, absolutely none. You may feel slightly languid if you have had an EEG test after sleep deprivation or taking melatonin.
Of course, since no side effects are expected, no restrictions are imposed on returning to your usual duties.