Electroencephalogram (EEG)(Routine & Sleep Deprived EEG)
An EEG measures the electrical activity of your brain. You will be seated in a reclining chair or lying on an exam table. The technologist will gather a brief medical history, measure your head, and apply electrodes to your scalp with a water-soluble electrode gel.
The recording will take about 35 minutes, during which you will be asked to sit or lie still with your eyes closed. You will perform a brief breathing exercise, and a flashing light will be used several times while your eyes are closed. The procedure is painless.
Please note that weaves, hair extensions, or wigs MUST be removed prior to the appointment.
Please allow an hour for the entire exam.
How to Prepare for an EEG
1. Wash Your Hair Thoroughly
- Your hair must be clean and free of oils, conditioners, gels, mousses, hairspray, etc. Wash your hair well in advance to ensure it is dry by the time of testing. You may wash your hair the night before the exam.
2. Eat Before Being Tested
- It is important to maintain stable blood sugar levels, so please eat within two hours prior to the exam.
3. Take Your Normal Medications
- Unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, take all your usual medications. The technologist will need to know your medications, so please bring a list if you have trouble remembering their names.
Sleep Deprived EEG
- If your physician has ordered a sleep-deprived EEG, you should ideally stay awake the entire night before the test.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, etc.) for 12 hours before the test. Elderly patients and children may find this difficult.
- If your appointment is in the afternoon, you may sleep for about 4 hours before midnight and stay awake the rest of the night.
- Different people have varying abilities to stay awake, so do your best not to sleep as much as possible before the exam.
- It is highly recommended that you arrange for a driver to take you to and from the test.
After the EEG
- When the EEG is completed, the technologist will remove excess paste and markings from your head. There might be some residue left, which will come out with shampoo at home. For those with lighter hair colors (blonde or gray), some red pencil marks may remain but will also wash out easily.
- Schedule extra time to wash your hair after the test before resuming activities like work.
For any questions or concerns, please contact us at 337-991-6480.
Neurowave Diagnostics | 337-991-6480
Electroencephalogram (EEG)(Routine & Sleep Deprived EEG)
An EEG measures the electrical activity of your brain. You will be seated in a reclining chair or lying on an exam table. The technologist will gather a brief medical history, measure your head, and apply electrodes to your scalp with a water-soluble electrode gel.
The recording will take about 35 minutes, during which you will be asked to sit or lie still with your eyes closed. You will perform a brief breathing exercise, and a flashing light will be used several times while your eyes are closed. The procedure is painless.
Please note that weaves, hair extensions, or wigs MUST be removed prior to the appointment.
Please allow an hour for the entire exam.
How to Prepare for an EEG
1. Wash Your Hair Thoroughly
- Your hair must be clean and free of oils, conditioners, gels, mousses, hairspray, etc. Wash your hair well in advance to ensure it is dry by the time of testing. You may wash your hair the night before the exam.
2. Eat Before Being Tested
- It is important to maintain stable blood sugar levels, so please eat within two hours prior to the exam.
3. Take Your Normal Medications
- Unless instructed otherwise by your doctor, take all your usual medications. The technologist will need to know your medications, so please bring a list if you have trouble remembering their names.
Sleep Deprived EEG
- If your physician has ordered a sleep-deprived EEG, you should ideally stay awake the entire night before the test.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, etc.) for 12 hours before the test. Elderly patients and children may find this difficult.
- If your appointment is in the afternoon, you may sleep for about 4 hours before midnight and stay awake the rest of the night.
- Different people have varying abilities to stay awake, so do your best not to sleep as much as possible before the exam.
- It is highly recommended that you arrange for a driver to take you to and from the test.
After the EEG
- When the EEG is completed, the technologist will remove excess paste and markings from your head. There might be some residue left, which will come out with shampoo at home. For those with lighter hair colors (blonde or gray), some red pencil marks may remain but will also wash out easily.
- Schedule extra time to wash your hair after the test before resuming activities like work.
For any questions or concerns, please contact us at 337-991-6480.
Neurowave Diagnostics | 337-991-6480