Have you ever
experienced the Sensory Evoked Potentials test?
This medical
test, often used to diagnose multiple sclerosis, probably ought to be
classified as a governmental intelligence device.
Seriously, it could work that way.
If you’ve had a sensory evoked potentials (SEP) test, you
know exactly what I mean.
They call it
non-invasive. They say it’s not painful.
They’re kidding.
Sure, it’s no spinal tap / lumbar puncture (Watch for more
on that later.). But it’s still no picnic, either.
The patient sits in a tiny room, usually in a medical center
or hospital, for the Sensory
Evoked Potentials test. A medical staffer comes in and sticks little
electrodes to the patient’s scalp (and perhaps along the spine). These are
attached to wires that connect to electrodes stuck on the patient’s
extremities.
Then the medical person steps out.
That’s where it gets
dicey.
Electrical impulses (Seriously? Let’s just call them shocks.) are
administered. For multiple sclerosis diagnostic purposes, the timing of the
brain’s response to the shock stimuli is the key. This is called the latency,
and it is supposed to fall within a normal or abnormal range, based on statistical
averages.
Not painful?
C’mon now.
Before the actual test begins, the medical staffer turns up
the heat (so to speak), notch by notch, stopping just as the patient’s relevant
extremities (such as fingers and toes) begin to twitch.
I’ve had this test, and I’m just glad I don’t possess any
national security secrets.
And I have to admit: I’m a little surprised my hair didn’t
streak out grey on the spot. That wouldn’t have shocked me one bit.
Image/s:
Electric Shock
WP ClipArt
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Wow!
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