Deciphering the EEG brain

Typically, the EEG results are known within 24-48 hours after the procedure. When interpreting the EEG specialists, among other factors, pay attention to the different types of rhythms of the brain:

• The alpha-rhythm frequency of 8-14 Hz. Alpha waves are recorded when human eyes are closed, but he was awake. They virtually disappear when a person opens his eyes and concentrating on something their attention;
• Beta-rhythm frequency of 14-30 Hz. This is the normal rhythm of waking, when a person is actively working, learning, and so on. These rhythms may prevail in a person who took a large dose of certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines;
• Delta-rhythm frequency of 1-4 Hz, is recorded in a state of deep sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams , A strong narcotic intoxication, coma and sometimes in young children. This rhythm in some cases may indicate a tumor, or brain injury;
• Theta rhythm, frequency of 4-8 Hz is detected in a dream, young children and, presumably, in deep relaxation.

A normal EEG:

• In adults, in the waking state should prevail alpha and beta rhythms;
• In both hemispheres there is electrical activity of the same character;
• No abnormal bursts of electrical activity;
• When stimulated by bright light in a certain area of ​​the brain may be a short-term response to each flash of light, but in general the electrical activity of the brain is normal.

Abnormal EEG results are very diverse, and correctly interpret them can only be experienced professionals. We only briefly tell you about the possible results of the EEG in patients with various disorders:

• The nature of electrical activity in the hemispheres varies markedly;
• Sudden bursts of activity or slow rhythms of the brain may be signs of cancer, infection, injury, stroke Stroke - a serious brain injury   or epilepsy. In patients with epilepsy Epilepsy - a sacred disease   location and nature of the abnormal electrical activity can help determine the type of epilepsy. However, the EEG in these patients between attacks may be perfectly normal, so this procedure is not used for primary diagnosis of epilepsy; it is used when a violation has been discovered and it is necessary to make a more complete picture of the disease;
• Changes in the electrical activity observed in several regions of the brain, may be a sign of some types of intoxications, infections or metabolic disorders;
• With some injuries and diseases of the brain in awake adults may be recorded delta and theta rhythms;
• The absence of electrical activity in the brain is that the brain has ceased to function; usually happens due to lack of oxygen and / or impaired blood flow to the brain. This pattern may occur in humans in a coma, and in some cases, with extremely strong sedative effects caused by drugs.

What can affect the results of the EEG?

The following factors may affect the results of the EEG, because of what their value would be significantly reduced:

• Active movement during the procedure;
• Taking certain medications, such as antiepileptic and sedatives, tranquilizers;
• Refraining from eating for several hours before the EEG;
• Coffee, tea, energy drinks and other products containing caffeine;
• Unconsciousness due to drug intoxication or low body temperature (hypothermia);
• Dirty, greasy hair or hair covered with a varnish, oil, gel, or other cosmetic products.

Risks

During only recorded EEG electrical activity of the brain, and the human body is not subjected to even very weak electric current. Contrary to the fears that are still prevalent among some patients, the EEG has nothing to do with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

In patients with epilepsy hyperventilation or flashing lights can trigger epileptic seizure; in case it happens, it is always close to a specialist who knows how to help a person in such a situation.

Acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis good

The disease has a viral nature, the agent belongs to the group of arenaviruses and can cause disease in humans as well as animals. The reservoir and the source of infection are some species, for example, house mouse. The virus can enter the human body through inhalation of dust containing dried feces of the animal, but other modes of transmission.

The disease can occur in the form of sporadic cases or in small outbreaks, mostly in winter and spring. Ill mostly adults and older children.

Disease begins acutely. Symptoms of aseptic meningitis when picking up quickly, starting with a sharp rise in temperature, severe headache Headache: Causes and Complications , Pain in the eyeballs and vomiting. Severe headaches are held during the first week, and then they become paroxysmal and can hold up to 1, 5 months. Meningeal signs (meningeal posture, stiff neck, and so on) appear from the first day of the disease. There are also a violation of consciousness, paresis. All of this takes place gradually as recovery.

The prognosis of this disease is usually favorable. But the feature is a tendency to recurrence and progression of infection to the tissue of the brain (the development of meningoencephalitis), which may cause the patient's death.

Meningitis is caused by the mumps virus

Mumps or mumps - a viral disease that affects the salivary glands. It occurs mainly in children and young adults, often takes on the character of small outbreaks. A feature of this type of meningitis is that it may develop as the third to fifth day of the disease (most common), or simultaneously with a lesion of the salivary glands, and even for a few days before the main symptoms. Much less mumps meningitis occurs independently mes destruction of the salivary glands.

Symptoms of the disease at a serous meningitis mumps meningitis Meningitis - an inflammation of the meninges   It begins acutely, with the rise of high fever, headache, vomiting, meningeal symptoms appear in the first days, but they are not expressed sharply and do not always correspond to the severity of the disease. From the first days of the patient appears lethargy, stupor, drowsiness, passing into unconsciousness, or, on the contrary, in a state of sudden excitement. There may be paresis.

The disease is generally favorable: in two or three weeks, in most cases it ends in complete recovery, but the baby for a long time remains sluggish, lethargy, difficulty to learn new information (tserebrostenii phenomenon).

Meningitis caused by enteroviruses

Meningitis caused by enteroviruses - a form of enterovirus infection in humans, which is caused by Coxsackie virus, ECHO and polio virus Polio - why immunization of the population? . The disease occurs mainly in children and young adults. We watched as sporadic outbreaks, and small epidemics. Today there is a tendency to spread the disease, especially in the warmer months. The source of infection is a sick person, the virus is usually transmitted by contact through the hands and objects contaminated with feces. But if the patient has catarrhal phenomena (coughing, runny nose, sneezing), the infection can occur through airborne droplets.

Signs of serous meningitis enteroviral origin: serous meningitis incubation period of 2 to 12 days, then the child has high fever, there is a severe headache, vomiting, impaired consciousness and sometimes seizures. The temperature can be kept for three to ten days, and then decreases sharply. Meningeal symptoms appear on the second or third day of the disease.

Current enteroviral meningitis benign. Clinical recovery occurs within 7-10 days, changes in the cerebrospinal fluid completely disappear only after a month.

Treatment of serous meningitis

Treatment of serous meningitis of bacterial origin carried drugs that suppress the livelihoods of pathogens. In addition, prescribed drugs, relieves swelling Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause   brain and intoxication.

Treatment of meningitis and meningoencephalitis caused by viruses in the first place aimed at reducing intracranial pressure. For this purpose, appoint diuretics and conduct puncture of the spinal cord - the removal of the cerebrospinal fluid quickly leads to an improvement in the general condition of the patient.

Prevention serous meningitis - a timely treatment of tuberculosis turns, thorough hand washing fruits and vegetables, home hygiene. Precautions should also apply to bathing in small enclosed bodies of water - pools, ponds, lakes.

Galina Romanenko