Anyone interested to know what my job consists of? If no, u can discontinue reading now. If yes, then read on. Haha.


I'm currently doing routine and portable Electroencephalogram (EEG) test on patients who may have seizures, fainted/lost consciousness, fell down and knocked their head etc.


Routine EEG: patients come down to our lab.
Portable: We go to their bed side to perform the test.


First, I measure the patient's head with a measuring tape and make markings all over the scalp. I will then use a white "gel" (something like facial scrub) to clean the points and put conduction paste on.


The gel is to reduce the impedence (resistance) caused by dirt, dry skin, oil or whatever is on the patient's scalp.


After which, the patient is to lie down on a couch where about 30 electrodes are placed on the paste. If the computer doesnt accept the impedence level, I have to clean again, harder this time. Ouch. Haha.


The lights are switched off, machine calibrated and the recording starts (total of 30mins).


During the test, the patient is asked to open and close his/her eyes.


Mental activation is done whereby some questions are asked e.g. patient's name, birth date, NRIC no., home add, simple mental sums etc.


Another form of activation is done on patients who are unable to respond (e.g. stupor, coma etc). Activations like clapping of hand, calling their name, pinching their limbs etc.


Photic stimulation is done as well. A box full of light bulbs are shown to the patient. The patient is to look at it while it keeps flashing in 10 sec interval. The freq will increase up to 20 Hz.


Now the patient is to hyperventilate (breathing in and out thru' their mouth as tho' they're panting) for 3 - 5 mins depending on situations and individuals.


However, patients who are seriously ill, have heart problems, asthma, stroke, or who are above 75 yrs old cannot do this exercise.


All these activations are to stimulate the patient as well as to test their responsiveness.


The patient is encouraged to sleep till the end of the recording so that we can compare the sleep and awake brain activity patterns.


This briefly sums up what I'm doing now in my lab. =x haha. I shall scan and post a picture of what I see off the computer screen everyday during recording. Lol.