title: What is causing excessive daytime sleepiness? Evaluation to distinguish sleep deprivation from sleep disorders.
abstract: Many people have a temporary spell, often in early afternoon, when they feel drowsy. This passing desire for a quick nap is completely different from excessive daytime sleepiness, which is a much more significant problem. Considering the potentially dire personal and economic consequences of falling asleep unintentionally or at inappropriate times, excessive daytime sleepiness must be taken very seriously. A thorough evaluation, as described by Dr. Mahowald, virtually always leads to a specific underlying cause, allowing effective treatment recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis 55415-1829, USA. mahow002@tc.umn.edu
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Mahowald
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*