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What Causes Seizures After Having EEG?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Oct 2014
Question: Could an EEG cause a seizure in a person that is prone to having them? I had one the day after having an eeg. Thank-you for your help.
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Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lights and deep breathing cause seizure during EEG

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Having worked in an epilepsy center, I would like to clarify that electroencephalogram is a test by which the brain electrical activity is measured by placing electrodes over the scalp and recording the waves. This is preferably done when the patient is at rest.

The wires used to record electrical activity only record, they do not deliver electrical current to the scalp.

However, in some cases, actual seizures may be recorded during the EEG, particularly in children with absence seizures who are asked to breathe deeply (hyperventilate) during the test. In rare instances, an EEG can cause seizures in a person with a seizure disorder due to the flashing lights or the deep breathing that may be involved during the test.

After an EEG, the occurrence of a seizure is not related to the test.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Causes Seizures After Having EEG?

Brief Answer: Lights and deep breathing cause seizure during EEG Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Having worked in an epilepsy center, I would like to clarify that electroencephalogram is a test by which the brain electrical activity is measured by placing electrodes over the scalp and recording the waves. This is preferably done when the patient is at rest. The wires used to record electrical activity only record, they do not deliver electrical current to the scalp. However, in some cases, actual seizures may be recorded during the EEG, particularly in children with absence seizures who are asked to breathe deeply (hyperventilate) during the test. In rare instances, an EEG can cause seizures in a person with a seizure disorder due to the flashing lights or the deep breathing that may be involved during the test. After an EEG, the occurrence of a seizure is not related to the test. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Please write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek