Are you scared of an EEG test (Electroencephalogram)? Let's talk about this simply!

Have you or someone you know ever been told by a doctor to have an EEG test? You may have been a little scared or nervous when you heard that. "What is an EEG? Is it a big test with lots of wires going into your head? Will it hurt?" It's normal to have a lot of questions like these. But there's really no reason to be scared. Today, we're going to talk about what this EEG test is, why it's done, how it's done, and how to prepare for it in a very simple way that you can understand.

Simply put, what is an EEG?

Imagine that our brain is like a big, busy city. There are millions of tiny workers in this city. We call these workers neurons, or brain cells. These workers talk to each other and exchange information through very small electrical signals. Everything we think, feel, and do is controlled by this exchange of signals.

Now, an EEG (Electroencephalogram) test is, to be precise, "listening" to the electrical conversation patterns that are happening inside the brain. In this, several small metal plates (we call them electrodes) are attached to the skin of your head (scalp). These are like small microphones. These pick up the electrical signals that are going between the brain cells and send them to a machine through wires. That machine displays this signal pattern as a diagram, or more precisely, as a wave pattern (brain waves) on a screen. The doctor looks at this wave pattern and finds out whether different parts of the brain are working properly or if there is anything unusual.

In what cases is an EEG test recommended?

There are several reasons why a doctor may recommend an EEG. The main and most common reason is if there is a suspicion of a condition called epilepsy . That is, if a person is having seizures, an EEG is very helpful in determining whether the cause is a sudden change in the electrical activity of the brain.

Additionally, your doctor may order an EEG if you have the following symptoms:

• If you constantly feel confused and disoriented.
• If you lose consciousness while walking (fainting).
• If you have memory loss problems.
• If you are showing undetectable changes in behavior.

In addition to these symptoms, EEG is also used to monitor brain activity in some other medical conditions. For example:

• Memory impairment diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
• Infections that affect the brain, for example, encephalitis.
• Brain tumors.
• If someone is in a coma, see how active the brain is.
• After serious head injuries (Traumatic brain injury).

What types of EEG tests are there?

The type of EEG performed may vary depending on your symptoms and what your doctor is looking for. Let's look at some of the main types.

How should I prepare before the test?

This is very simple, but to get accurate results, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions.

• Tell your doctor in advance about all the medications you are taking . You may be asked to stop taking some medications the day before the test. But do not stop any medication without your doctor's advice.
• Wash your hair thoroughly the night before the test. But do not apply any conditioner, gel, oil, or hair spray to your hair. These can prevent the electrodes from connecting properly to your skin.
• Follow the sleep instructions carefully. Sometimes, especially if you are having a sleep EEG, you may be asked to sleep the night before the test. This will help you fall asleep more easily during the test.
• If you are given special instructions about what to eat, follow them. Most often, you will be told not to drink caffeine-containing drinks such as tea, coffee, and cola before the test.

What happens during the test?

When you go to the test room, a technician will help you.

1. First, you will be made to sit in a chair or lie down on a bed.

2. Then the person will mark several places on your head and attach about 20 small electrodes to those places. These are attached using a special paste or gum. It doesn't hurt at all when you attach it. It feels like putting on a sticker.

3. Then you will be told to close your eyes and keep your mind calm. Sometimes you will be told to keep your eyes open.

4. During a regular EEG, you may sometimes be asked to do several things to stimulate the brain.

• Breathing rapidly and deeply (Hyperventilation).
• They are told to look at a light flashing in front of their eyes (Photic stimulation).

5. While all this is happening, the machine records your brainwave patterns. The technician watches you until the entire process is complete.

Are there any side effects?

EEG is a very safe test. Side effects are very rare.

• Some people may feel a little dizzy when breathing rapidly. This will subside after a while.
• If you have epilepsy, very rarely, rapid breathing or flashing lights can trigger a seizure. But don't panic.The technician performing the test is aware of this, and they are trained to help you if something like this happens.
• After the test, you may experience some redness or slight hair loss where the electrodes were removed. This is temporary.

After the test and about the report

When the test is finished, the technician will carefully remove the electrodes from your head and wipe away the paste. Unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise, you can go straight home and resume your normal activities.

When you get home, the paste will still feel sticky on your hair. So it's a good idea to wash your hair as soon as you get home.

You will have a separate day to discuss the test results (report) with your doctor. At that time, the doctor will look at your brainwave patterns, explain what they mean, and what you need to do next.

What if there's something unusual in the report?

It depends on your condition. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist , who can diagnose the condition and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

It's normal to be a little scared when you hear about an EEG. Wires, electrodes, a machine that records brain waves... these words can make us a little scared. But it's actually a painless, very simple test. It can give your doctor some very valuable information about what's going on inside your brain.