EEGs - Everything You Need To Know
My daughter had her first EEG when she was just a small child, so this test has been a part of our lives for a while now. But recently I started thinking about how overwhelming it might seem to need an EEG for the first time.
And that led me to write this article, which will hopefully answer many of the first questions you might be asking if you find out you need an EEG. Starting with the most obvious…
What is an EEG?
“EEG” is an acronym that stands for electroencephalogram. And in simple terms, this is a test that’s meant to measure electrical activity within the brain.
During an EEG, anywhere from about sixteen to twenty-five electrodes (small, metal discs) will be attached to the patient’s scalp. This will be done one of two ways, either with a special paste or with a cap that simply goes over the person’s head.
This process is painless, but it will allow the doctor to monitor the electrical activity that’s going on in the brain by “reading” the wavy lines that show up on their screen.
Why would someone need an EEG?
EEGs are usually used to diagnose epilepsy, but they can be used for other things as well. Such as diagnosing…
Brain tumors
Brain damage
Strokes
Sleep conditions
Inflammation in the brain
And brain disease
Plus, in addition to helping diagnose certain conditions, EEGs are sometimes used to find out more about a problem. For instance, in the case of epilepsy, an EEG could help a doctor determine what type of seizure(s) the patient is having. Or even which area of the brain the seizures are coming from!
What are the different types of EEG?
Now, it’s also important to note that there is more than one type of EEG. In fact, there are several types…
There’s a “routine” EEG, which usually involves some sort of “activation procedure” to encourage seizures. Since these EEGs only last for about half an hour, meaning that there’s less chance for a seizure to occur unless you trigger them. These activation procedures could include sleep deprivation (like not sleeping the night before the test), quick breathing, or even flashing lights. Additionally, routine EEGs usually don’t include video.
Next, there’s a prolonged EEG. Which is similar to a routine EEG, except it lasts for one to two hours. Once again, this type of EEG may (or may not) be done with video.
There’s also an ambulatory EEG, which can also be done with or without video. This type of EEG stands out because it is performed outpatient, sometimes even in a person’s home. And because of this, these EEGs can last from one to three days.
Lastly, there’s EEG-video monitoring and long-term monitoring, which are sometimes used interchangeably. With EEG-video monitoring, the EEG will be recorded and done inpatient over the course of several days. Long-term monitoring is a bit more vague when it comes to the exact definition, since the only thing that's made clear is the fact that the monitoring lasts a while.
Note - Some other terms that are sometimes used to describe certain EEGs are epilepsy monitoring and EEG monitoring but these don’t really specify much. Therefore, they aren’t used often.
Are there alternatives to an EEG?
In general, there’s no direct competition for EEGs. But other tests seen within the space are MRIs, fMRIs, and CT scans. Which have different functions, but may be used to diagnose the same things. Either in addition to EEGs or instead of them, depending on the context.
For reference…
An MRI is an imaging technique that results in a three dimensional image of things like the brain, breast tissue, etc. These images can be used to diagnose or monitor many different conditions.
An fMRI, on the other hand, focuses completely on brain function/activity by tracking blood flow changes.
Finally, CT scans are like a more detailed version of the X-ray; and they can achieve high quality images of the inside of the body by mixing X-rays with computer technology.
Of course, these aren’t the only tests that might be used to monitor/diagnose medical conditions like epilepsy. But they resemble the function of the EEG the closest.
What is the price of an EEG?
The cost of an EEG can vary quite a bit depending on what type of EEG it is, how long it takes, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, etc. But they can be very expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance.
Without any help from insurance, it could cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000! If you do have insurance, they’ll typically pay about 10-50%. But as you can see, there’s a lot of variation with what they’re willing to cover as well.
These prices make an EEG unattainable for low income families, and this is something that really bothers me. In fact, I wrote an entire article in the past about the cost of epilepsy.
How do you prepare for an EEG?
Now, before I wrap up this article, I wanted to include a section where I share some tips about how you can prepare for an EEG. Because as I said in the beginning of this post, I know it can be overwhelming to go in for your first one.
First of all, you should avoid caffeine for at least eight hours before the EEG; as it can interfere with the results. But unless your physician specifies otherwise, you should still be able to eat, drink, and take your medication as you normally do.
Next, you’ll want to make sure your hair is in order. It needs to be clean; but you should avoid using conditioners, sprays, and oils. And if you wear wigs or extensions then you might need to talk with your doctor about how you can prepare with those extra considerations.
In terms of clothing, you’ll want to opt for something comfortable! Because, although they may ask you to change into a hospital gown, you don’t want to risk being uncomfortable during the whole test if they don’t. Avoid earrings, because these can easily get caught in the electrodes.
You’ll also want to ask about any paperwork you need to bring ahead of time. For instance, you may need a photo ID and insurance papers.
And lastly, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you back home in case you have large seizures during the EEG. Especially if you’re doing a sleep deprived one!. Many locations will even let you bring someone in for emotional support, so you can look into that as well.
Sources
As always, here are some of the main sources I used for this article. Feel free to check them out, if you’d like more information about EEGs.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/eeg/about/pac-20393875
https://www.epilepsy.com/diagnosis/eeg/which-eeg-type-best-you
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/electroencephalography_eeg/article_em.htm
https://www.health.com/electroencephalogram-7504786
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