[Sleep and sleep disorders].

Disturbance of sleep is a symptom of heterogeneous origin. Hypersomnia (excessive sleep during daytime) must be carefully distinguished from hyposomnia. Hypersomnic patients should be referred to a neurologist for further diagnostic workup; hypnotics may be dangerous in these patients. Medical, psychiatric and other cases of hyposomnia should be identified and treated as part of a comprehensive therapy plan. Counselling and application of the rules of sleep hygiene should be considered. When drug therapy is indicated, benzodiazepines are preferable. Because chronic insomnia causes serious impairment to the quality of life, prolonged treatment with hypnotics is sometimes unavoidable. However, their long term efficacy remains to be demonstrated.