EEG

Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the electrical activity in your brain, so it’s valuable in diagnosing conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain tumors. At Riverhills Neuroscience, the leading physician-owned neuroscience practice in the region, EEGs are available at three Cincinnati, Ohio, area offices in Norwood, Westside, and Anderson, as well as an office in Centerville, Ohio, and another in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. Call the office nearest you or click the online contact form to get more info about EEGs now. 

What is an EEG?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to look at the electrical impulse patterns between brain cells. The test essentially records electrical activity so the neurology team can examine it and detect irregularities. 

My doctor recommended an EEG. What are they looking for? 

An EEG can help neurology specialists examine brain activity and detect problems and disorders such as: 

• Epilepsy
• Sleep disorders
• Alzheimer’s disease and non-Alzheimer’s dementias
• Head injuries
• Brain inflammation
• Brain hemorrhage
• Brain tumors
• Stroke
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

EEG can detect other types of irregularities in the brain as well. In general, if a problem affects brain cell signaling, an EEG can help to evaluate it. 

What happens during an EEG?

An EEG starts with you relaxing on your back in a bed or recliner. A designated EEG tech measures your head and makes small marks to guide electrode placement before affixing the electrodes to your scalp using an adhesive.

The electrodes are connected to long thin wires that transmit information to a machine. The machine then creates visual patterns representing your brain signals on a nearby screen or paper. 

Your EEG tech may ask you to breathe slower or faster, look at a light, close your eyes, or do something else during the test. This can help them get the information needed for a diagnosis.

On average, an EEG lasts around 20-40 minutes. While that’s usually sufficient to gather the necessary information, there are some situations in which doctors need a longer look at your brain signals. 

For example, people with epilepsy might have a normal EEG if the test wasn’t performed at the exact time the epilepsy waves occurred. So, the ambulatory EEG is the best way to get a longer recording of brain activity. 

In an ambulatory EEG, you’ll wear electrodes on your scalp, covered with gauze or a cap. You carry a portable recorder with you, which you can easily wear at your waist. 

The wires can run down your scalp and under your shirt, so they won’t keep you from most activities. However, you do have to avoid showering, bathing, and even sweating during your test. Ambulatory EEGs last anywhere from 24-72 hours. 

Riverhills Neuroscience offers EEGs at their Norwood and Crestview Hills offices. Call the office nearest you or click the online contact form to get in touch with the neurology team today.