Curious about an EEG?!

Curious about an EEG?

I just got back from a doctor's appointment with a neurologist for migraines that I've been having and he's scheduled an EEG. What exactly is an EEG and about how long does it last? Also, will I be asleep when they do it?

At the office where I worked, we did two kinds of EEGs, a one hour test, and an all day test. We used an electrode cap, which cuts down on prep time. First, your head is measured to see which cap to use. Then a prep gel is squeesed into each electrode, which has a hole in the center for this purpose. Then a wooden q-tip is used (the blunt wooden end) to clear the scalp of anything that can interfere with the connection. Then another gel is squeezed into each electrode. There are 20 electrodes on the cap, plus, additional electrodes are placed on the earlobes and wrists (the wrist electrodes are only to monitor your heart rate which can appear on the brain readings to eliminate the artifact).
You are asked to hyperventilate for a few minutes, followed by a few minutes of rest. Then you are asked to open and close your eyes a few times, and then a flashing light is placed in front of you while your eyes are closed. This is followed by about twenty minutes of silence in a dark room, when you will be encouraged to sleep if possible.

The all day tests are a little different. Instead of a cap, individual electrodes may be used. They are glued to the scalp to keep them from coming unhooked during the day. Instead of wrist electrodes, you will have them on your chest. You will probably not have to do the breathing and light exercises.

All facilities are different, but I performed the tests myself. If you have any other questions, you can contact me at tracysaqt at sbcglobal dot net.

Hope everything comes out alright!