Issue Date: February 24, 2008
Is your sleepiness OK?
Here's a simple test docs use.
Nothing is more frustrating than a half-charged battery. Whether in the TV remote or a cellphone, diminished energy means diminished performance.
The same thing goes for humans. Our bodies need to be recharged to operate optimally. Unfortunately, a good night's sleep is not always easy to get. Over time, inadequate or poor-quality sleep leads to sleep deprivation. The consequences can be devastating -- dozing while driving, for example.
So how do you know if an occasional restless night is normal? Many sleep medicine specialists use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (below). Let's see how you do.
Rate yourself in each of the following situations using this scale:
0 = No chance of dozing
1 = Slight chance of dozing
2 = Moderate chance of dozing
3 = High chance of dozing
| 1. Sitting and reading |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 2. Watching TV |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 3. Sitting, inactive, in a public place (such as a theater) |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 4. As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 6. Sitting and talking to someone |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 7. Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| 8. In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Add up your scores. If your total is 10 or more, you may have excessive daytime sleepiness, or EDS. This could indicate an underlying sleep disorder, so talk to your doctor.
Contributing Editor Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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