The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was developed in Australia and has become a popular and simple measure of sleepiness.  It is one of the measures we use in determining your snoring type.  As you'd expect, the higher your score, the more likely it is that you have a sleeping disorder.......


but not so fast.  The Epworth test has come under criticism from several doctors, especially when presented with little supporting information on the Web.  These doctors point out that there are plenty of reasons for a high ESS score apart from an actual sleep disorder.  Maybe it's as simple as not getting enough sleep.  Or depression.  That's true.  However, PutanEndtoSnoring has no apologies for recommending that if you have a snoring problem and a high ESS score, that you see your doctor or sleep specialist. 

At the other end of the spectrum, some doctors are concerned that a low ESS may provide false comfort.  Sometimes, these doctors point out, patients suffering from a sleep disorder don't realize that they are tired.  They may simply feel that they are getting older and don't have the energy they used to have.  Such patients, once treated for the sleeping problem, are amazed at how much better they feel.  For this reason, we recommend that even Socially Incorrect snorers (who appear to have no underlying sleep disorder) bring their snoring problem to their physician's attention.

Medical reference: Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep, 14(6):540-545