Somnology

This article describes the doctrine of sleep . For the medical journal, see Somnologie (journal) .

The Somnology ( compound from lat. Somnum : sleep '. And Greek λόγος , lógos : Teaching') refers to the science of sleep , which includes not only the sleep research and the sleep medicine belongs. It is one of the youngest medical subject areas. A scientist who studies this area is called a somnologist . The term "somnology" was introduced by Eckart Rüther, Göttingen, to describe all basic and clinical sciences when the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine was founded, in order to emphasize the commonality of all those involved in sleep.

The central theme is all forms of non-restful sleep. Real sleep disorders are the result of physical illnesses, psychological stress or side effects of drugs. This must be distinguished from incorrect expectations of sleep and incorrect sleeping habits.

Somnology encompasses the etiology , physiology , pathophysiology , diagnostics and differential diagnostics of disorders of sleep-wake regulation and sleep-related disorders, including the necessary methods and examination techniques, as well as the basics for treating these disorders.

Doctors mainly work in areas such as neurology , psychiatry and psychotherapy , internal medicine and ear, nose and throat medicine with additional training. The additional training in sleep medicine includes the detection, classification and conservative treatment of disorders of sleep-wake regulation and sleep-related disorders in addition to specialist medical skills.

Somnologie is also the title of a specialist journal in Germanyin the field of sleep research and sleep medicine .

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !

Individual evidence

1. ↑ DGSM: Proof of qualification somnology  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , PDF (13 kB), accessed on December 11, 2012, no longer available.  
2. ↑ German Medical Association: (Sample) Further Education Regulations 2003 ( Memento of January 21, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) in the version of June 25, 2010, PDF (742 kB).