Electroencephalography

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Risks

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

Before You Go

• Do not drink coffee, tea, or cola on the morning of your test. Do not smoke cigarettes the day of your test. You should eat your regular meals.
• Your doctor will tell you how many hours you should sleep the night before your test. Follow these directions exactly.
• Take any medicine prescribed by your doctor just as directed.
• Your hair should be clean and free from all oil or lotion. Before the test, you will need to remove everything made of metal (jewelry, for example) from your head and neck.

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Your Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• During Your EEG:
  • The test will be done in a special room equipped with either a bed or a reclining chair.
  • About 20 sticky patches with wires will be placed on your head with paste. One patch may be put on each earlobe. You'll be asked to lie still and relax with your eyes closed. The test causes no pain.
  • You will be asked to breathe deeply 20 times a minute for 3 minutes. A bright light will be flashed over your face to see how it affects your brain waves. You may be asked to go to sleep.
  • The brain waves are recorded on a moving strip of paper for study by the doctor.
  • You may be given a short break so you can move around. After the test, the patches and wires will be taken off. The nurse may wash your hair to get rid of the paste.
  • The test takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours.

After You Leave

• You may return to your normal activities immediately.
• You will need to shampoo your hair to remove all the paste.