If you’re dozing off in afternoon meetings or nodding off at stop lights in your car, you could be among the more than 100 million Americans who regularly fail to get a good night's sleep. You could also be among the 70 million Americans who have a sleep disorder.

Sleep plays an important role in maintaining good mental and physical health every day. Frequent sleep problems have been reported by nearly seven out of 10 Americans in recent studies conducted by the National Sleep Foundation.

“People with a normal sleep duration of six to nine hours per night have a higher quality of life and are at lower risk for depression compared to short and long sleepers,”says Gary Trock, M.D., co-director of Sleep Evaluation Services at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.

Take this quiz to determine your level of sleepiness.

To get a good night's rest, it is important to avoid alcohol intake before bedtime as it can cause interrupted sleep patterns. Exercising, watching television, working on the computer, or drinking caffeinated beverages also interrupt sleep patterns by increasing alertness, making it difficult to fall asleep.

“If you think you have a sleep disorder, it is important to get evaluated by your physician and seek treatment,” says Dr. Trock. “Untreated sleep disorders can lead to motor vehicle accidents, and may contribute to or cause heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and dementia.”

There are more than 80 known sleep disorders, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Each disorder can lead to loss of energy, lower productivity, mental problems and an increase in accidents while driving or on the job. Some sleep disorders can even indicate more serious cardiovascular or respiratory problems.

The Beaumont Sleep Evaluation Services – Berkley Center is located at 1949 W. 12 Mile Rd.