- Neuro-Diagnostics By Tele-N-Cephalon Incorporated is a healthcare provider specializing in providing quality care for individuals with neurological disorders.
- Our mission is to ensure that individuals with neurological disorders receive the best care possible. We are dedicated to helping those with epilepsy, as this is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders.
- We use various technologies, from remote monitoring to telemedicine, to ensure that our patients receive the best quality of care.
- Our team of experienced doctors and technologists is here to provide the best possible care and ensure our patients get the support they need.
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EEG NCS/EMG Patient Diary
Neuro-Diagnostics
EEG and LTM
An electroencephalogram (EEG) helps analyze brain wave function. Electrodes/probes are placed on the scalp to record the brain’s electrical impulses.
How do I prepare for EEG (Electro-EncephaloGram)?
• Discuss any medicines you are taking with your doctor before your procedure.
• Continue to take any anticonvulsant medications you have been prescribed
(unless your doctor specifically tells you otherwise).
• Wash your hair the night before the test.
• Do not use hair cream, oils, or spray.
• No caffeinated drink or chocolate at least two hours before the test.
What happens during the EEG?
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You lay down on the examining table or bed while about 31 to 35 electrodes are attached to your scalp and around your face first with mild-abrasive fluid (NuPrep) and then hypo-allergic sticky conductive paste (Ten20).
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The paste is water washable; you may need to wash your hair after the test.
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Please bring a hat, bandana, or anything to cover your head; the scalp will feel sticky.
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Relax and lay first with your eyes open, then closed.
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The technologist may ask to breathe deeply and rapidly, and a white strobe lamp will be flashed at 1 Hz to 60 Hz at a predetermined interval. Both of these activities produce changes in brain-wave patterns.
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EEG procedure is a video procedure. We will record the video during the test to better interpret brain waves and correlate brain activity with physical movements.
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Routine EEG instructions
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Washed and cleaned hair.
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No makeup.
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No coffee, tea, or chocolates at least two hours before.
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Please keep the electronic device in silent mode.
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Relaxation and sleep for the optimum test result, so please do not bring young kids, if possible.
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If you are taking medications, continue all medicines as required.
Sleep-Deprived EEG instructions (For Patients above Age 10)
Sleep deprivation (not having enough sleep) and being sleepy during the test are essential in helping us gain as much information as possible from the EEG.
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Follow the above instructions for routine EEG. Do not sleep for at least 24 hours before the test.
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Arrange to have somebody drive you to and from the test center.
For Pediatric ( from 0 to 6 years) and developmentally delayed patients, EEG
There can be anxiety and emotions in both kids and parents if they are presenting for the test for the first time. With the help and cooperation from parents, we can get through the test, which is easier than it sounds.
You can bring anything, for example, an iPad or cell phone to watch videos and play games, blankets, toys, and pacifiers.
The mother can feed her baby during the test, including breastfeeding. Please remember that we record videos during the trial and will continue recording while breastfeeding.
Instructions for All Children
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Do NOT give any sedatives (sleeping medicine) within 24 hours of the test.
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Continue giving all other medicines (unless otherwise advised by your child’s doctor or nurse).
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Do not give your child caffeine or sugar (including sodas, chocolate, or candy) within 2 hours of the test.
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Before arriving for the test, wash and dry your child’s hair. Do not use styling gels, oils, or other products.
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Try to keep your child awake on the way to the clinic.
Duration of sleep loss in the pediatric Sleep Deprived EEG.
Nap-Deprived EEG (Age 3 and younger)
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On the night before your appointment, keep your child up one-hour past regular bedtime, and wake your child (and avoid naps) three to four hours before your appointment.
Sleep-Deprived EEG (Age 4 to 9 years)
On the night before your appointment, keep your child up one-hour past regular bedtime, and have your child sleep four to five fewer hours than usual.
Ambulatory EEG
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What is an Ambulatory EEG?
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Ambulatory EEG is a test of your brainwave EEG.
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Unlike the routine EEG that typically is done in the office and only lasts 20-30 minutes, the ambulatory EEG is performed in the comfort of your home and is run typically for one to several days.
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Ambulatory EEG instructions ( For Day 1)
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Washed and cleaned hair.
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No makeup.
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No coffee, tea, or chocolates at least two hours before.
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Please keep the electronic device in silent mode.
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Relaxation and sleep are desired for the optimum test result, so please do not bring
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young kids, if possible.
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If you are taking medications, continue all medicines as required.
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Ambulatory EEG instructions (While at home)
DO’s
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Please remain indoors when possible, and stay out of the heat while wearing the ambulatory EEG.
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Continue to take all your prescribed medications, especially your seizure medications. Unless you have been instructed otherwise by your doctor.
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Please note each medicine on the patient log sheet and the time it was taken during the testing.
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Press the event button during or immediately after you experience any of the kind of symptoms. If you are running late in pressing the button, it is still better to press the button as soon as you can than not at all.
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Please fill out a log sheet for all events in question. On this sheet please include the date, and time of day of your symptoms and note if you pressed the button or pressed it late after the episode occurred.
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Bring back the log-Sheet with you on the second appointment.
Don'ts
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Do not chew gum or suck on hard candy.
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Do not shower, swim, wash your hair or submerse the equipment in the water.
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Please do not remove the head wrap while the test is running. This helps keep the electrodes in place.
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Avoid static electricity.
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Avoid activities that make you sweat.
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Avoid working on or being near any electronic device that is plugged in or charging.
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Avoid talking on or being near a phone that is being charged/plugged in.
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Avoid touching the electrodes, head wrap or unplugging the EEG electrodes from the recorder device.
After the test
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After removing the EEG electrodes, the EEG cleans each spot on the scalp where an electrode has been applied, with warm water.
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We advise you to wash your hair when you return home.
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The best way to clean your hair after the test is to apply a hair conditioner and comb your hair to remove any leftover debris.
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Once you have removed the debris, you can wash and recondition your hair.
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EEGs are generally quite safe, although in some individuals prolonged application of the electrodes can cause skin irritation and breakdown. Should this occur, keep the area clean and dry and apply Neosporin one to three times daily for two to three days. Let your doctor know if skin irritation doesn’t go away after several days.
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Video and EEG information is collected on a computer, which is then interpreted by a neurologist.
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The interpreting physician will compose a detailed report which will be sent to your physician.
EMG/NCS
EMG is Electro-Myography.
NCS is a Nerve Conduction Study.
An EMG test measures the electrical activity of your muscles at rest and when you tighten them.
It helps to find diseases that damage muscles or nerves, why you cannot move your muscles (paralysis), why they feel weak, or why they twitch.
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) measure the integrity of the nerves and their abilities to send and/or receive electrical signals.
Nerve conduction studies to find damage to the nerves that lead from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body (peripheral nervous system), often used to help find nerve disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
EMG and nerve conduction studies are often performed together, and Nerve conduction precedes EMG
How to prepare?
You may need the list of all medications and supplements, as some medicines can interfere with the test result. You may need to stop taking some medicines before you have this test. Talk to your doctor if you take aspirin or some other blood thinner.
You must tell your doctor if you have a pacemaker or any medical device installed.
Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially extremities. It is advisable to keep the upper arms and legs exposed or easy to present for the test.
Keep skin clean and free of sprays, oils, creams, and lotions.
What do you expect?
For an NCS and EMG, you may be asked to sign a consent form. Talk to your doctor about your concerns about the need for the test and its risks.
Duration
It depends on the complexity of the test, between 20 min to 90 minutes.
For nerve conduction studies:
The technologist will attach two types of electrodes to your skin. One type of electrode is placed over a nerve and will give the nerve an electrical pulse. The other type of electrode is placed over the muscle that the nerve controls. It will record how long the muscle reacts to the electrical pulse.
You will feel the electrical pulses. They are small shocks and are safe.
For an EMG:
Your doctor will insert a sterile single-use needle electrode into a muscle. This needle will record the electrical activity while the strength is at rest.
You may feel a quick, sharp pain when the doctor inserts a needle electrode into a muscle.
Your doctor will ask you to tighten the same muscle slowly and steadily while we record the electrical activity. Your doctor may move the electrode to a different area of power or a different muscles.
What to expect after the test?
After an EMG, you may be sore and have a tingling feeling in your muscles for up to 2 days. You may have minor bruises or swelling at the needle site.
Take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). If the test areas are painful, please apply ice or a cold pack on the field for 10 to 20 minutes. You can leave right away and get back to your usual activities immediately.
When should you call for help?
If pain from an EMG test site gets worse or swelling, tenderness, or pus at any needle site, you should visit the family doctor immediately.