Sleep and fatigue in Parkinson's disease

Sleep disorders and fatigue are common problems in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although they frequently appear together, they are often distinct symptoms that must be understood separately. Fatigue has been reported to be the most bothersome aspect of PD in about one-third of patients, yet it is poorly understood and not clearly treatable. Sleep disorders, while more common, are less bothersome to the patients and often responsive to therapy. An overview of sleep disorders in PD and an approach to therapy will also be outlined. The little that is known about fatigue in PD will be reviewed.