What an EEG Can Reveal About Your Brain Health

If you’ve been experiencing cognitive challenges, sleep issues, or have a neurological condition that requires monitoring, an electroencephalogram (EEG) is a highly helpful tool. The noninvasive test records your brain waves during a painless procedure.

Board-certified neurologist Dr. Farhad Elyaderani and his team in New Rochelle and Yonkers, New York, provide EEGs for seizure and epilepsy evaluation.

We put the following information together to help you better understand EEGs, including what yours may reveal.

How EEGs work

During your EEG, electrodes (metal discs) will be attached to your scalp using a gel or paste. You’ll lie down or recline during the test and experience no physical discomfort. Thin wires run from the electrodes to a computer. During the test, your brain activity appears on the computer screen as wavy lines.

Most routine EEGs take 30-40 minutes. Extended or long-term EEGs are often paired with video capture and take 2-3 days to complete.

What an EEG reveals about your health

An EEG provides important information for diagnoses, treatment plans, and assessing condition progression or improvement. It can both reveal the health and vitality of your brain function and pinpoint challenges that need to be addressed.

Dr. Elyaderani may recommend an EEG if you have or may have a seizure disorder, conditions marked by abnormal discharges of brain waves. An EEG is commonly used to detect atypical patterns associated with epilepsy. It can also confirm or rule out other potential causes of seizures. Our team provides 3-day video EEG monitoring following routine EEGs, if needed.

EEGs can also help our team determine your diagnosis and best potential treatment for other symptoms like confusion, memory loss, fainting, dizziness, and behavioral changes. They’re also used to assess and monitor brain injuries, tumors, and issues related to comas and sleep disorders.

Extended EEGs are typically used to better assess ongoing seizure or sleep problems. They may also be used in critical care scenarios, such as after a stroke.

What happens after your EEG

After your EEG, you can likely go home and continue your usual activities. If you need sedation during your EEG or you’re prone to seizures, you’ll need a ride home. You may also need to wash your hair to remove lingering adhesive. Mild scalp redness in the electrode area usually resolves quickly on its own.

Dr. Elyaderani will discuss your results with you and review any diagnoses and treatment plans. That’s often done at a follow-up appointment.  

To learn more about EEGs or get started with compassionate and personalized neurological care, call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani or request an appointment online today.