How is eeg used

Before you review the results, it may be helpful to write down any questions you might want to ask. An EEG is a test that measures your brain waves and helps detect abnormal brain activity.

The results of an EEG can be used to rule out or confirm conditions, such as epilepsy, a brain tumor, or a stroke. Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Find out what causes it, who's at risk, how it's diagnosed, and more. Giving your child a substance you've been led to believe is harmful and addictive is cause for concern.

But what if it can help them? Epilepsy isn't funny. Neither are seizures. But when you blackout, sometimes you do hilarious things you just have to laugh about. Temporal lobe epilepsy is one of 20 different kinds of epilepsy. It causes seizures that stem from the medial or lateral temporal lobes of the brain. Diabetes can cause long-term damage, from foot to nerve complications.

For some people, sleep is disturbed not by dreams but by seizures. You can have a seizure with any type of epilepsy while you sleep. But with certain…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. The test can also be used to diagnose other disorders that influence brain activity, such as Alzheimer's disease, certain psychoses, and a sleep disorder called narcolepsy. The EEG may also be used to determine the overall electrical activity of the brain for example, to evaluate trauma, drug intoxication, or extent of brain damage in comatose patients.

The EEG may also be used to monitor blood flow in the brain during surgical procedures. The EEG has been used for many years and is considered a safe procedure. The test causes no discomfort. The electrodes record activity. They do not produce any sensation. In addition, there is no risk of getting an electric shock. In rare instances, an EEG can cause seizures in a person with a seizure disorder.

This is due to the flashing lights or the deep breathing that may be involved during the test. If you do get a seizure, your healthcare provider will treat it immediately. Other risks may be present, depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure. Ask your healthcare provider to tell you what you should do before your test.

Below is a list of common steps that you may be asked to do. An EEG may be done on an outpatient basis, or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices.

Talk with your healthcare provider about what you will experience during your test. Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced.

See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Janice Breien was anxious to find a better way to manage the seizures that regularly disrupted her daily life. Enter her Mayo care team -- ready to listen and provide solutions. Now, with her seizures under control, Janice has a renewed sense of optimism. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

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Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. EEG electrodes Open pop-up dialog box Close. Fresh Approach to Epilepsy Treatment Rekindles Zest for Life Janice Breien was anxious to find a better way to manage the seizures that regularly disrupted her daily life.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Moeller J, et al. Electroencephalography EEG in the diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy. EEGs are very safe. If your child has a seizure disorder, your doctor might want to stimulate and record a seizure during the EEG. A seizure can be triggered by flashing lights or a change in breathing pattern. You can help prepare your child for an EEG by explaining that it won't be uncomfortable.

You can describe the room and the equipment that will be used, and reassure your child that you'll be right there for support. For older kids, be sure to explain the importance of keeping still while the EEG is done so it won't have to be repeated. If you have questions about the EEG procedure, speak with your doctor. You can also talk to the EEG technician before the exam. Reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.