| London | New York | Tokyo |
| EEG/EMG | ||
| Introducing The EEG At GIH | ||
Why An EEG Is Carried Out |
||
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is mainly used to help diagnose epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition that involves abnormal brain activity, which causes people to have seizures known as epileptic fits. Epileptic fits occur when the nerve cells in your brain are unable to transmit messages effectively. By monitoring the electrical activity in your brain, your doctor should be able to diagnose the type of epilepsy you have and identify any factors that may be triggering your fits. This will mean that your doctor will be able to prescribe the most effective type of medication for your condition. |
 |
|
| Some people with epilepsy are able to have surgery to remove the damaged part of the brain tissue that causes the epileptic fits. An EEG will help to identify the specific area of damaged brain tissue that needs to be removed. | ||
| Patients in a Coma | ||
| EEGs are also used for some patients who are deeply unconscious (in a coma). In this situation, an EEG can help to determine whether that person has reversible brain damage that can be treated, or whether the damage is so severe that there is no brain function left at all. This can sometimes help in deciding whether someone should be kept alive by using a life support machine. If an EEG machine shows that the person is brain dead, a life-support machine will not be able to improve that's person's condition. |  |
|
|
Other conditions The EEG is also used to investigate other conditions that may affect brain function including:
|
||
| Introducing The EMG At GIH | ||
What is EMG? |
||
EMG stands for electromyography. It is the study of muscle electrical signals. EMG is sometimes referred to as myoelectric activity. Description of testing EMG testing is a diagnostic examination of the peripheral nervous system, which includes nerves and muscle functions. The EMG test includes nerve conduction studies and a muscle needle examination. The nerve conduction studies are performed by placing electrodes on the skin, over certain nerves and muscles and recording the responses when electrical impulses are applied to the nerve. The |
 |
|
| muscle needle examination involves direct recording of muscle activity at rest and during contraction by inserting a very thin needle electrode into various muscles. Pain is minimal and there are no aftereffects of the EMG test. Testing can take 45 Mins-1½ hours to perform and the patient is able to return to his or her usual activities directly following. Referrals All EMG patients need a physician referral to obtain testing. The referring physician should complete the GIH Electromyography requisition. Occasionally, the patient may have to obtain precertification from his or her medical insurance company before testing can be scheduled. The patients medical insurance information will be taken at the time the appointment is made. Preparation For the EMG appointment, the patient's skin should be clean without lotions, oils or creams. No special preparation is required. The patient can take all medication medications as prescribed by his or her referring physician. However, if the patient is on Coumadin, Mestinon or Botox, please notify us and the referring physician at the time the appointment is made. Instructions First do not take any blood thinning medication, aspirin, or any drug that may interfere with the test. Also do not consume any alcohol as it thins the blood and may interfere with the test. Refrain from wearing any heavy perfumes, colognes or deodorant. The test takes no more than 1½ hours Your doctor should have the results fairly quickly and can discuss any issues or concerns that you may have. |  |
|
Gulu, North Uganda
Tel: +256-471432279
Fax: +256-471332262
Email: guluindp@aol.com
Hospitals.
African Health Watch
Report 2010-11 Best
Hospital Rankings
