EEG (Electroencephalogram) Say: ee-lek-tro-en-sef-uh-lo-gram Doctors use electroencephalograms to figure out what's going on in your brain. A special machine measures your brain waves to create an electroencephalogram. No matter what you're doing (even sleeping), your brain gives off electric waves. An electroencephalogram machine measures these electric waves and shows where and how big they are. Pretty neat, huh? Some kids have a lot of extra electricity flowing inside their brain, which can cause things called seizures. An electroencephalogram does not hurt and it can help doctors decide how to treat these kids. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.