Narcolepsy Network launched a new public awareness program in 2005
called the National Sleep Disorders Screening Program, to be conducted
in public locations such as shopping malls, stand-alone stores, health fairs
and college campuses. (See Press Release.) This program has been
developed to detect Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in the general population
and to provide information to assist affected persons in seeking the medical
attention they need.
We extend a special welcome to those who have come here after visiting one
of our Sleep Screening events in person, or after hearing or reading about our
program in the media.
This page is also intended for individuals looking for an explanation for their
sleepiness. Narcolepsy is often the first sleep disorder that comes to mind when an individual experiences excessive daytime sleepiness. In fact, Sleep
Apnea and Restless Leg Syndrome/Periodic Limb Movement Disorder are
far more common. Together, these three disorders follow sleep deprivation
as the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is not only inconvenient and a potential source
of embarassment. It can lead to mistakes and accidents, and even threaten
your health and life. It is often a symptom of a treatable sleep disorder and
should never be ignored!
While it is necessary to undergo a sleep study to properly diagnose a sleep
disorder, it is quite easy to determine if your sleepiness could be a sign of a
sleep disorder. A simple test called the Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS),
developed by a physician, enables you to rate your level of sleepiness. If you
score a 10 or above, it is recommended that you bring a completed ESS to your physician to discuss the possibility that you have a sleep disorder.
Your physician may not be familiar enough with sleep medicine to recognize
the symptoms of a sleep disorder, but with the help of this simple test and the
resources we have listed, together you and your physician can become
knowledgable about this important and growing field.
Proceed to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale
|
