Part of the problem in recognizing whether you
have poor sleep when you have had a sleep disorder for some
time, is identifying whether your sleepiness levels are abnormally
high or not.
The most widely used method to determine sleepiness levels
by Practitioners and Sleep Clinics worldwide is the Epworth
Sleepiness Scale. It is a subjective assessment of how sleepy
you are. But it is well validated within sleep research to
be an effective tool in identifying excessive sleepiness.
It is recommended that you fill in the following scale with
a spouse or family member to help answer the questions. (A
combined score of 9 or more indicates the presence of excessive
sleepiness).
How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following
situations, in contrast to feeling just tired? This refers
to your usual way of life in recent times, even if you haven't
done some of these things recently try to work out how they
would have affected you.
Use the scale
below 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
Sitting & Reading
Watching television
Sitting inactive in a public place (Theatre,
Meeting, etc)
As a passenger in a car for an hour without
a break
Lying down to rest when circumstances permit
Lying down to rest when circumstances permit
Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol
Driving a car but stopped for a few minutes
in traffic
Total Score:
THE EPWORTH SLEEPINESS
SCALE KEY
1 - 6
You are getting enough sleep.
7 - 8
Your score is average.
9 or More
Seek the advice of a sleep specialist without
delay!
If you have the symptoms of OSA and have excessive
sleepiness as shown by a
sleepiness score of 9 or
more, then you should have an overnight Sleep Study.
