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The sonologist is a doctor who is engaged in the treatment, diagnosis and study of sleep disorders. Let's consider when it is necessary to contact a somnologist, what diseases the doctor treats and the main tips of a healthy sleep from a somnologist.

The doctor somnologist has an unusual and very unique specialization, he is engaged in the study and treatment of sleep disorders. According to statistics, about 20% of people have sleep disturbances, which negatively affect well-being and work capacity, and this in turn affects the quality of life. That is why, the profession of a doctor of a somnologist is relevant in our time. The sonologist is engaged in the treatment of sleep disorders, both in adults and in children. As a rule, a children's somnologist diagnoses patients with psychotherapists and ENT doctors. This is due to the fact that in childhood, not only external factors affect the sleep, but also the developmental features of the organism.

To date, somnologist doctors have identified more than 80 types of sleep disorders and about 50 diseases that cause insomnia. Complete diagnosis of the patient allows the doctor to determine the disease, find the cause of its appearance and make up a curative program. But it is very difficult to find a physician for a somnologist, since doctors do not work in simple clinics. As a rule, you can register for an appointment with a somnologist in a specialized or private clinic that works on a foreign model of medicine.

Who is a somnologist?

Who is a somnologist? The sonologist is a doctor whose main task is the study and treatment of pathologies and sleep disorders. Somnologists work together with surgeons and otorhinolaryngologists who help cure snoring and other sleep disorders associated with the operation of ENT organs and other physical features of the body.

Somnology is a science that is a separate section of neurobiology and medicine. The somnology studies sleep and its disturbances, and also how sleep affects human health. Knowing the theoretical aspects of normal human sleep, doctors in practice develop methods of treatment for various sleep disorders. Also, in the competence of somnologists, the development of methods of treatment and the study of diseases that manifest themselves and develop in sleep. For example, asthma attacks and diseases of the cardiovascular system in a dream are quite painful. To date, there are many sleep disorders that are associated with chronic diseases and the general condition of the body.

When should I contact a somnologist?

When should I contact a somnologist and what kind of sleep disorders require immediate medical attention? So, the somnologist should be contacted if you:

• During the day, there is increased drowsiness, fatigue and apathy, which last more than a week.
• Strong night snoring, which appeared against the background of hormonal diseases (diabetes mellitus) or diseases of the cardiovascular system (high blood pressure).
• Sleep disorders, which arose against the background of long-term use of medicines.
• Walking in a dream, epileptic seizures, nightmares and gnashing of teeth.
• Sleep disorders caused by frequent interchangeable time zones, climate or work patterns (change and night schedule).
• Hypertensive seizures, ischemic heart disease, which occur only during sleep.
• Unpleasant and painful sensations, weakness in the muscles of the body, frequent falling in a dream.

What tests do I need to take when I contact a somnologist?

If you are going to an appointment with a doctor who is engaged in sleep disorders, then you should know what tests you need to pass when you contact a somnologist. As a rule, a somnologist does not require the surrender of tests in the diagnosis of sleep disorders, which are caused by nervous disorders or psychoemotional condition. But if sleep problems are associated with improper functioning of organ systems, additional tests (blood test, urine and others) are required.

If the infringement became infringement of a sleep, the somnologist sends the patient to the infectious disease doctor for delivery of standard analyzes. If normal sleep hinders snoring or grinding of teeth, the somnologist gives a referral to the ENT doctor who conducts the examination of the patient and takes standard tests. That is, every sleep disorder is diagnosed by a somnologist, but in order to make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may demand that certain tests be performed that are associated with the manifested symptomatology of sleep disorders.

What diagnostic methods does the somnologist use?

The sonologist, like any other doctor, uses certain techniques and methods in his work. Let's consider what diagnostic methods the somnologist uses to determine the cause of sleep disturbance and diagnose the disease. The main diagnostic methods used by the somnologist are:

• Polysomnography - a method of diagnosis of sleep, which is carried out in a hospital. The essence of this method is that sensors are attached to the patient's body, which fixes the activity of the brain during sleep.
• Electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram - fixation with sensors attached to the body and head, electrical activity of the brain.
• Electromyogram and electrooculogram - fixation and recording of movement of muscles and eyes in the corresponding phase of sleep.

What does the somnologist do?

What a somnologist does is the most frequent question from patients who first came to see a somnologist. The sonologist is a professional specialist whose competence includes the treatment of disorders and pathologies of sleep, as well as the diseases that cause these disorders.

The first thing that a somnologist does when meeting a patient is diagnosing sleep disorders and identifying the causes that led to the violation. That is, in order to make a diagnosis, the somnologist must learn about the psychoemotional state of the patient. So, the presence of problems at work and in personal life, constant stressful situations and unhealthy way of life are the main causes of sleep disorders. But problems with sleep can occur against hormonal disorders and certain diseases. Problems in normal brain work and neuroses are the main cause of insomnia. In the process of working with the patient, the somnologist can refer the patient to other specialists who will help confirm the diagnosis. As a rule, the somnologist works closely with the ENT doctor, psychotherapist, endocrinologist, neurologist.

What diseases are treated by a somnologist?

If you suffer from sleep disorders, then you should know about what diseases the somnologist treats. Since, most likely, a doctor will help to solve your problems with sleep and cure diseases that have caused insomnia or sleepwalking. Let's consider, by treatment, what diseases the somnologist is engaged in.

• Sleep disorders that have arisen against bad habits.
• Narcolepsy, bruxism, sleepwalking.
• Sleep disorders that caused eating disorders.
• Attacks of apnea, that is, stopping breathing in a dream.
• The syndrome of tired legs, caused by a certain phase of sleep.

Advices of a doctor of a somnologist

The advice of a somnologist doctor is practical methods and recommendations that will allow you to properly prepare for bed and sleep. The doctor's advice will help you relax as much as possible and rest during the night.

1. Observe sleep and wakefulness, try not to pour.
2. Go to bed immediately when you have a feeling of drowsiness. If within 20-30 minutes you do not get to sleep, it is recommended to get out of bed and do a quiet monotonous job.
3. Your bedroom should be a place to sleep, not for work, entertainment and meals.
4. Refuse daytime sleep, as it is daytime overflows that break night sleep and a feeling of sleepiness.
5. Develop for yourself a certain ritual that will be associated with sleep. Take a warm bath, read it or make a light snack.
6. If you are doing sports, then do not forget that heavy loads should be six hours before bedtime, and light exercise four hours before bedtime.
7. Do not eat caffeine before going to bed and give up a tight dinner. Since this is the main cause of insomnia. This applies to alcohol and nicotine, they must also be discarded, especially at bedtime.
8. If you take sleeping pills, then observe the duration of the intake (usually not longer than three weeks). Otherwise, the drug will become addictive and cause sleep disorders.

The sonnologist is a modern medical profession that helps to solve and treat disorders and problems with sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, you are tormented by nightmares, suffering from sleepwalking and insomnia, then you need to seek help from a somnologist.

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