Daytime sleepiness is one of the most recognized symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  Simplistically, normal sleep (adequate sleep quality and sleep duration) should prepare you for the ability to perform routine and monotonous daily tasks throughout the day without the "urge" to fall asleep.  One of the most recognized "tests" that evaluates this degree of sleepiness is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).   The ESS provides an index of sleepiness during the day as perceived by an individual.  The ESS provides this sleepiness index by allowing the individual to answer 8 questions.

INSTRUCTIONS:    The purpose of this tool is to determine how likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in each of the following situations, in contrast to feeling just tired?  This refers to your usual way of life in recent times.  Even if you have not done some of these things recently, try to work out how they would have affected you.  Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:   
                0    =  would never doze
                1    =  slight chance of dozing
                2    =  moderate chance of dozing
                3    =  high chance of dozing

Situation:                                                                                                                     Chance of dozing:

Sitting and reading                                                                                                       _____________

Watching TV                                                                                                                 _____________

Sitting, inactive in a public place (e.g a meeting or theater)                                    _____________

As a passenger in a car for more than an hour without a break                             _____________

Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances will allow it                   _____________

Sitting and talking to someone                                                                                   _____________

Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol                                                             _____________

In a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic                                                   _____________


                                                                             TOTAL POINTS                             _____________

A score greater than 8 is considered to warrant additional evaluation by your physician.