Clinical assessment of excessive daytime sleepiness in the diagnosis of sleep disorders.

Daytime sleepiness is common, but, in some individuals, it can be excessive and lead to distress and impairment. For many of these individuals, excessive daytime sleepiness is simply caused by poor sleep habits or self-imposed sleep times that are not sufficient to maintain alertness throughout the day. For others, daytime sleepiness may be related to a more serious disorder or condition such as narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, or obstructive sleep apnea. Clinicians must be familiar with the disorders associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and the assessment methods used to diagnose these disorders in order to identify patients who need treatment.