What tests are available to diagnose excessive daytime sleepiness?

Multiple tests are available for healthcare providers to use to assess excessive daytime sleepiness. These tests are designed to measure how sleepy a person feels or how quickly they fall asleep during the day.

• Questionnaires: One example of a questionnaire is called the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The ESS asks individuals to rate their likelihood of dozing off in various situations. Questionnaires rely on the person's own perception of their sleepiness.

• Testing Performed In A Specialized Healthcare Facility: One example of this kind of test is called the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). The MSLT measures how quickly a person falls asleep in a quiet environment during the day. More information about the MSLT is available at https://sleepeducation.org/patients/multiple-sleep-latency-test/.

Tst results are only part of the information that a healthcare provider considers when diagnosing excessive daytime sleepiness. Other parts of a medical evaluation include additional questions the healthcare provider may ask you, as well as a physical examination performed by the healthcare provider. Using this information all together can give the healthcare provider more comprehensive understanding of a person's daytime sleepiness.