title: Office evaluation of the "tired" or "sleepy" patient.
abstract: In an outpatient neurologic practice, the patient complaint of being "tired" is frequently encountered yet often not specifically addressed. Clarifying the symptoms and determining whether the tiredness is the result of excessive daytime sleepiness versus fatigue or weakness is the first step in diagnosing and treating the patient. A detailed neurologic and sleep history and exam can often distinguish among these different symptoms, establish the potential causes of excessive sleepiness, and decide on the additional ancillary tests that may be helpful to determine the underlying etiology. Understanding the etiology of patient's symptoms is necessary to initiate appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. Cbodkin@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bodkin
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manchanda
mesh_terms: D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009819:Office Visits; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy