| Key questions in the evaluation of a patient who complains of sleepiness, tiredness, fatigue, or low energy |
| Questions about sleepiness |
| Do you feel sleepy during the day? Is daytime sleepiness a problem for you? Is it difficult to keep your eyes open at times during the day? Do you struggle to stay awake during the day? Do you take naps? How often and how long do you nap during the day? Do you fall asleep at times you do not want to (ie, watching a movie, reading a book, or on long drives)? |
| Questions about tiredness, fatigue, and low energy |
| Do you lack the energy to go about your daily activities? Do you tire easily, or sooner than others, when you are active? Do you feel physically or mentally exhausted? |
| Questions to differentiate sleepiness from related complaints |
| Does your problem bother you more if you sit to read for an hour, or if you go out shopping for an hour? Which of the following is the single most important problem for you: sleepiness, tiredness, fatigue, or lack of energy? Which of the following most interferes with your ability to accomplish what you would like to: sleepiness, tiredness, fatigue, or lack of energy? Which of the following is the one problem you would most like to address effectively: sleepiness, tiredness, fatigue, or lack of energy? |
