OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

EEG Report Summary

8/16/2025, 5:11:03 AMMale25-34

Three years post-diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the patient underwent an EEG due to persistent episodes characterized by fatigue and changes in consciousness. A diagnosis of complex migraines had been made previously. This particular EEG occurred during a period when the patient experienced temporary memory impairment, notably failing to recognize the current President, alongside fluctuating wakefulness. Subjective Report: Chief Complaint: EEG evaluation History of Present Illness: The patient is here for an EEG examination to assess episodes of changes in mental status, specifically to exclude the presence of focal or epileptiform abnormalities. Objective Report: Procedure Overview: This digital electroencephalogram, conducted during both waking and sleeping phases, follows the International 10-20 Electrodes Placement System. The recordings exhibit standard artifacts from movement, muscle tension, and chewing. Results can be analyzed using conventional montage techniques. Findings: - BACKGROUND: Normal voltage levels with a diverse frequency mix. - POSTERIOR DOMINANT RHYTHM: Recorded at 9-10 Hz. - SLOWING: Intermittent, disorganized slowing detected. - EPILEPTIFORM ABNORMALITIES: None identified. - SLEEP: Drowsiness noted, evidenced by slow, rolling eye movements and a decrease in the posterior rhythm. The patient demonstrated standard sleep architecture. - HYPERVENTILATION: Presented with normal background slowing and buildup, without any focal or epileptiform changes. - PHOTIC STIMULATION: No reaction or driving response observed; no epileptiform anomalies recorded. - EKG: Demonstrates a normal sinus rhythm in the single-channel assessment. Assessment: The EEG results indicate abnormal readings during both awake and sleep phases, showing disorganized slowing suggestive of encephalopathy. If there remains a significant concern regarding seizures, an ambulatory EEG may be warranted. It is essential to correlate these findings clinically. Diagnosis code: R40.4 for transient alteration in awareness.

DiabetesMultiple SclerosisThyroid Disorders

Answers (1)

Cony

8/16/2025, 5:11:18 AM

OpenHealth AI

The EEG results show some abnormal findings that may explain the symptoms you've been experiencing, including fatigue and changes in consciousness. While no epileptiform abnormalities were detected, there are indications of disorganized slowing, which suggests a potential encephalopathy. It’s important to correlate these EEG findings with your clinical symptoms to get a clearer picture of what might be happening.

Explanation

  1. Normal Findings: There were no signs of seizures (epileptiform abnormalities) during the EEG. This is reassuring, as it indicates that the sudden changes in consciousness you’ve experienced may not be due to epilepsy.
  2. Slowing: The disorganized slowing can be linked to conditions affecting brain function, potentially related to your history of traumatic brain injury and migraines.
  3. Assessment: The EEG suggests the need for further clinical correlation. This might involve assessing your symptoms in detail with a healthcare provider to determine appropriate next steps.

Next Steps

  1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, including when changes in mental status occur and any associated factors, like fatigue or headaches. This information will be helpful for any future evaluations.
  2. Follow-Up Consultation: Plan to discuss these EEG findings with your healthcare provider. They may recommend further evaluations or treatments based on a comprehensive review of your symptoms and the EEG results.
  3. Consider Ambulatory EEG: If your symptoms persist or worsen, your healthcare provider may suggest an ambulatory EEG, which can monitor brain activity over a longer duration to capture potential episodes not recorded in this single EEG.

If you have any specific concerns or need further clarification on the findings, please feel free to ask!

Related Questions

24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident

**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?

Thyroid DisordersCOPDInternal Medicine
Male25-34
23 minutes ago

Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight

As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms

Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!

Multiple SclerosisLupusEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?

A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?

LupusThyroid DisordersInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Unusual Heart Sensation

I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.

Multiple SclerosisCOPDInternal Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago