1. EEG
2. EMG
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EEG stands for electroencephalogram. It’s a test that measures electrical activity in your brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to your scalp. Brain cells communicate with each other via electrical impulses and are active all the time, even during sleep. This activity shows up as wavy lines on an EEG recording.
An EEG is one of the main diagnostic tests for epilepsy.
How is an EEG performed?
An EEG is a painless and relatively quick test. It typically takes about 30 to 120 minutes to complete. Here’s what you can expect during an EEG:
You will be asked to lie in a comfortable position, usually on a reclining chair or bed.
A technician will clean and measure your scalp at certain locations.
A paste will be applied to these areas to improve the conductivity of the electrodes.
The electrodes will be attached to your scalp with the paste.
The technician will then record your brain activity while you rest quietly. You may be asked to open and close your eyes, or to take deep breaths.
In some cases, you may be shown flashing lights or asked to listen to certain sounds during the EEG.
Once the recording is complete, the technician will remove the electrodes and wipe off the paste.
Under special circumstances you may require a prolonged EEG lasting 24 hours to 72 hours or more, to help evaluate for Epilepsy and you may be required to take the EEG machine with other equipment’s to your home for recording and bring it back to your neurologists office for interpretation.
After the EEG, a neurologist will review the recording and interpret the results. The normal electrical activity of the brain can vary depending on your age and state of consciousness (awake, asleep, drowsy). The neurologist will look for any abnormal patterns in the electrical activity that may suggest a brain disorder.
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EMG stands for electromyography. It’s a diagnostic test that assesses the health of your muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). EMG tests measure the electrical activity produced by your muscles.
An EMG is typically done in conjunction with a nerve conduction study (NCS) to provide a more complete picture of how well nerves and muscles are working together.
There are two main parts to an EMG:
1.Needle EMG: A thin needle electrode is inserted into various muscles to measure their electrical activity at rest and during contraction.
2.Nerve conduction study (NCS): Electrodes are placed on your skin over a nerve and muscle to measure the speed and strength of electrical signals traveling through the nerve.
Why is an EMG performed?
An EMG may be ordered to diagnose a variety of neuromuscular conditions, including:
. Muscle weakness
. Pain
. Numbness
. Tingling
. Carpal tunnel syndrome
. Myasthenia gravis
. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
. Pinched nerve
. Radiculopathy (irritation of a spinal nerve root)
. Peripheral neuropathy
How is an EMG performed?
An EMG is usually performed in a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic. The test typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Here’s what you can expect during an EMG:
1.Nerve conduction study (NCS):
. Electrodes will be attached to your skin over a nerve and the muscle it controls.
. The doctor will then stimulate the nerve with a small electrical current. You may feel a tingling sensation when the nerve is stimulated.
. The electrical activity traveling through the nerve will be measured and displayed on a screen.
2.Needle EMG:
. The doctor will clean and sterilize the area where the needles will be inserted.
. A thin needle electrode will be inserted into several muscles. You may feel a prick or pinch when the needle is inserted.
. The doctor will then ask you to relax your muscles and may then ask you to gently contract them. The electrical activity from your muscles will be displayed on a screen or heard as
a sound.
After the EMG, the doctor will review the results and discuss them with you during a seperate visit. The normal results of an EMG will vary depending on the muscles that were tested. However, abnormal results may indicate damage to a muscle, nerve, or the neuromuscular junction (the point where the nerve meets the muscle).