The management of unintended sleep episodes in patients with Parkinson's disease

Sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are common and have multiple causes. Attention has recently been drawn to the sedation an d somnolence caused by dopaminergic drugs and the occurrence of unintended sleep episodes. Such episodes can be successfully managed and eliminated or reduced with a structured approach to identification and treatment. This i ncludes the use of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), accurate diagnosis, review of sleep hygiene, assessment of control of PD symptoms, discontinuat ion or adjustment of sedative comedication and modification of dopaminergic therapy if necessary.