Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
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The first step in dealing with a sleep problem is an accurate assessment of its nature, severity and causes. Only then can a diagnosis be made and appropriate treatment implemented. The ESS is a questionnaire that subjectively measures the patient’s daytime sleepiness.
The patient needs to consider the following when answering the ESS questions:
- How likely are you to doze off in the following situations, rather than just feeling tired or fatigued?
- If you have not done these things recently, think about how they have affected you in the past.