It is the electrical examination of the nerves and muscles in our body. It is applied for diagnosis of:
- Nerve Injuries
- Nerve damage due to diabetes
- Neck and lumbar hernia
- Nerve jams
- Muscle diseases and
- Muscle wasting and spinal diseases.
The electrical conduction functions of the nerves are measured by using a linear electric current at a level that does not disturb the patient much. For this, a low-intensity electrical current is applied to the fingers and skin areas on the nerves, and this current is collected with computerized instruments from the nerve or elsewhere in the skin. Thus, it is understood whether the nerve functions properly or not.
By placing thin-diameter disposable sterile needle-shaped electrodes inside the muscles, it is understood whether the examined muscle nerve is diseased or the muscle is healthy, by monitoring and analyzing the electrical activity in the muscles on the EMG device screen.
Before coming to the examination:
- Patient should come slightly full,
- If there are medicines that the patient uses regularly, there is no harm in taking them. However, some drugs should not be used in special cases, in these cases, the necessary warning is made by the doctor in advance. (If blood thinners are used, doctor should be told.)
- Wearing comfortable clothing makes the examination easier. Female patients are recommended not to wear pantyhose. You should come clean with a bath.
- If the patient has a pacemaker, it is recommended to alert the doctor before the examination.
EEG is the printing of the electrical activity that occurs during both wakefulness and sleep state by nerve cells in the brain as brain waves.
In Which Situations It Should Be Applied?
The normal electrical activity of the brain is impaired in many cases, especially epilepsy (epilepsy). Information about the location and form of this disorder is obtained by evaluating the brain waves that make up the EEG. Examination methods developed later than EEG, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MR), do not provide information about the electrical activity of the brain. Especially in the diagnosis of epilepsy and determination of its types, the method that will decide the treatment is EEG.
How is an EEG taken?
- The electrical activity of the brain is transmitted to the EEG device via small metal electrodes placed on the scalp of the patient and the data are recorded on the computer for an average of 20-30 minutes (longer if necessary).
- During the procedure, the patient is not given electricity and they do not feel any pain.
- In order to get a quality record without interference, the patient should keep his/her eyes closed, relax the jaw and neck muscles and remain as still as possible during the procedure unless otherwise is told.
When coming to the EEG, you should come in full and with a washed hair.
