What Can Ambulatory EEG Testing Reveal About My Child's Brain?
The brain is the body's control center. It controls everything from movement to emotion, cognition, and how a person perceives sensory input. So, when we recommend a specialized test like an ambulatory EEG for your child, it's understandable to feel anxious and confused and have countless questions.
What is an ambulatory EEG? How can it help diagnose or rule out neurological conditions in your child? Is it safe, and how different is it from other neurological tests? These are all valid concerns and questions.
In Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Henry Hasson is renowned for his expertise in child neurology, making him the best person for your child's ambulatory EEG testing.
In this article, he breaks down what the test is, the conditions it can help diagnose, and its advantages.
What is an ambulatory EEG?
Electroencephalogram, commonly abbreviated as EEG, is a diagnostic method for measuring the brain's electrical activity. Ambulatory EEG is a version of this test that allows your child to be mobile and continue with daily activities during the testing period, which typically ranges from 24 to 72 hours.
The ambulatory EEG system is made up of electrodes, a recording device, and a data analysis unit. The electrodes detect the electrical activity generated by your child's brain.
These signals are then stored in the recording device, which can be carried around in a small bag or pouch.
Traditional EEG testing confines your child to the hospital for several hours. Ambulatory EEG, on the other hand, is much more flexible.
Conditions it can diagnose
Ambulatory EEGs are effective for diagnosing the following conditions:
Epilepsy and seizures
Ambulatory EEGs have proved to be highly valuable in diagnosing epilepsy and other seizure-related disorders. The long monitoring period offers a better chance to catch sporadic episodes, providing Dr. Hasson with comprehensive data to make an accurate diagnosis.
Sleep disorders
Sleep is a more complex activity than you might realize. It involves multiple brain circuits, and abnormalities in sleep patterns can indicate neurological issues. Ambulatory EEG monitors your child's brain activity during sleep without a hospital's constraints, helping diagnose sleep disorders more effectively.
Behavioral and mood disorders
Unexplained behavioral changes in children often lead parents and guardians to question what's happening. Ambulatory EEG can help identify or rule out neurological factors contributing to drastic mood swings or erratic behavior.
Advantages of Ambulatory EEG
One of the main benefits of ambulatory EEG is the freedom it offers your child. They can continue with their daily routine, reducing the mental strain that often accompanies medical tests.
Ambulatory EEG also captures a wealth of data by monitoring over an extended period. This allows for a comprehensive analysis that often yields more accurate results than a snapshot EEG over a shorter duration.
Hospital settings can be stress-inducing for you and your child. Ambulatory EEG eliminates the environmental variables that might skew the results by allowing the test to occur in a natural setting like your home.
Navigating your child's neurological health can be challenging and stressful. Ambulatory EEG testing is a vital tool that lightens this burden by offering crucial insights into brain function over an extended period.
It's a convenient and non-intrusive way to explore potential neurological issues, making it a preferred choice for many parents and health care providers.
If you're looking for a reliable expert for your child's neurological evaluation, look no further than Dr. Hasson. Trust him to guide you through this complex but crucial aspect of your child's health by scheduling an appointment online or calling 718-785-9828 today.