Good sleep is the same sign of good health as appetite. Therefore, insomnia is the same disease as any other that requires treatment. But most people, instead of going to a specialist, prefer self-medication, which can only worsen the situation. Another reason why a person puts off a visit to the doctor is the lack of knowledge of which specialist should be consulted. Sleep problems and their elimination are handled by a somnologist.
Somnology
Somnology is a branch of medicine whose purpose is to study and eliminate sleep disorders. This section of medicine is a relatively new area. To date, more than 80 types of sleep disorders have been found that adversely affect human health and, consequently, the quality of his life. Specialists in this field do not work in ordinary clinics, and you can make an appointment only in a private clinic. We will consider them below.
Somnologist
Thus, a somnologist is a doctor whose job is to prevent and treat sleep disorders. The range of his activities is quite wide, but he can solve some sleep problems together with other doctors - a neurologist, infectious disease specialist, otolaryngologist. What problems will the somnologist help get rid of? These are, first of all, problems that require immediate treatment. This is insomnia, apnea, snoring, restless sleep. A children's somnologist will help get rid of nightmares, long falling asleep, improper sleep patterns when a child confuses day and night. The treatment is not always medication, since the problem can be psychological, and the doctor will help correct the situation and restore a good sleep.
Somnologist Tips
If you or your relatives were tortured by sleepless nights, you should make an appointment with a somnologist. This, of course, is the right decision. But before you visit a doctor, try the following recommendations.
- You need to go to bed and get up at the same time on weekdays and weekends.
- No need to sleep during the day. If you are used to daytime sleep, then it should be before 15:00 and no more than an hour.
- Going to bed at night is only necessary when drowsiness occurs. If there is no sleep, then you need to find a distraction.
- Sports and periodic physical activity contribute to a sound sleep. Therefore, you need to do exercises in the morning, and during the day take walks for at least an hour.
- The rituals that accompany the departure to rest will help you tune in to a sound and sweet dream. It can be a relaxing bath, relaxation music or reading an interesting book or magazine.
- You do not need to drink strong coffee and tea before going to bed, you should abandon alcohol.
- Do not overeat before bedtime. But if you can’t sleep without dinner, you can get by with a light snack: kefir, milk, vegetables or fruits.
- Sleeping pills are addictive, so do not abuse them.
Alarm bell
Do not postpone a visit to the somnologist if there are the following circumstances and symptoms of the disease:
- heart hypertension and ischemia, which worsen at night;
- snore;
- taking sleeping pills for a long time;
- constant desire to sleep in the daytime;
- Frequent falling, walking or gnashing of teeth in a dream;
- respiratory arrest or problems with it in a dream;
- unpleasant sensations in a dream (goosebumps, numbness or cramps in the limbs).
These are disturbing symptoms.
Diagnostics
To diagnose violations, the somnologist uses a number of techniques in his work, some of which will be discussed in more detail.
Polysomnography is a series of tests that are performed in a dream to detect abnormalities, while examining breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat, oxygen levels, wave patterns of the brain, eye movements, respiratory muscles, and limbs.
Electroculogram (EOG) is an electrophysiological method that examines the eye muscles and the outer layer of the retina using changes in biopotentials during retinal stimulation and eye movements.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is an electrophysiological study and registration of electric fields that are formed during the work of the heart.
An electromyogram (EMG) is an electrophysiological study and recording of the electrical activity of muscles.
Dynamic pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method based on a spectro-optometric method that determines the degree of oxygen saturation of the blood.
Electroencephalogram - a record of a complex oscillatory electrical process obtained using an electroencephalograph.
Analyzes
To prescribe treatment, a single hardware diagnosis may not be enough, and in this case, tests may be required. It can be general (such as a urine or blood test) and private. The latter depend on the patient’s state of health. If some kind of infection became the cause of sleep disturbances, then the somnologist will write out a referral to an infectious disease specialist. If problems are the field of activity of an ENT doctor, then to him. And after their examination, the doctor prescribes adequate treatment.
Specialist in Moscow
If the above tips do not help, and sleep problems do not recede, then you should consult a specialist. Where can I find a somnologist in Moscow?
In the capital, there are various centers and laboratories for the study of sleep, in which qualified specialists will provide the necessary assistance. Below is a list of them with contact information.
- Clinical sanatorium "Barvikha", which is located in the Odintsovo district in the Moscow region. The center has been operating in the field of medicine for more than 20 years, and twice a year lectures on sleep disorders are held in it to improve the skills of specialists.
- Institute of Cardiology A. L. Myasnikova, located on the 3rd Cherepovskaya, d. 15-a. There is a sleep laboratory at the institute, the main direction of which is the treatment of apnea and arterial hypertension.
- The Federal Scientific and Clinical Center for Otorhinolaryngology is located on Volokolamsk Highway, 20, not far from the Sokol metro station. Specialists use the latest medical advances to treat apnea and snoring.
- The National Medical and Surgical Center named after N.I. Pirogov on Nizhnyaya Pervomayskaya, d. 70. The laboratory at the center has been operating since 2013 and during that time managed to accumulate vast experience in the treatment of sleep disorders.
- Somnology service at the Diagnostics medical center on Zhivopisnaya 14, building 1 ( metro stations Polezhaevskaya, Schukinskaya) and the Xenotherapy Center on Zemlyanoy Val, 64 building 2 (metro station Taganskaya) . The service also provides online recording and cashless payments. During an internal consultation, a comprehensive examination is conducted with the participation of other specialists, except for the somnologist.
- "SM-Clinic" on the street Klara Zetkin, d. 33/28 offers an examination of sleep disorders using German and Israeli equipment.
- University Clinical Hospital THEM. Sechenov No. 1 and No. 3, located on Bolshaya Pirogovskaya, d. 6, p. 1 and Rossolimo 11, p. In No. 1. They have a somnological office, the main work of which is to identify sleep disorders. No. 3 has a somnological department that provides a range of services.
- The Eurasian Clinic on Novy Arbat, d. 36/3, whose laboratory is equipped with modern somnological equipment, will help get rid of problems associated with sleep disturbance.
In addition to metropolitan clinics, sleep problems are also solved in the Moscow region. In Khimki and Kolomna there are somnological rooms.
- "Family Doctor" on Kirova Avenue, d. 10. Here you can go through a comprehensive examination and get advice from experienced professionals.
- Clinical and rehabilitation center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in Khimki, in the Planernaya microdistrict, ow. 14.
Specialist in St. Petersburg
The necessary help can also be obtained after consulting a somnologist in St. Petersburg in the clinics below.
- St. Petersburg City Hospital on 9 Borisova, in Sestroretsk, where the Center for the treatment of breathing disorders in a dream operates.
- St. Petersburg Clinical Hospital of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Toreza Avenue, 72. There is also a Center for the treatment of respiratory disorders in a dream with the possibility of outpatient and inpatient treatment.
- Polyclinic complex (medical center) on Moskovsky prospect, d. 22.
- Consultative and diagnostic center with a clinic on Morsky Prospekt, 3. Outpatient treatment is possible here.
- Cardiac Medicine Center on the Black River. A somnological laboratory operates here, where not only studies of sleep disorders and their elimination, but also full-fledged cardiological diagnostics are carried out.
In addition to specialized clinics, the help of a somnologist in St. Petersburg can be obtained at the laboratory for research and correction of respiratory disorders and the department of somnology. It is located at the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine at the Military Medical Academy at Zagorodny Prospekt, 47.
The Department of Somnology is located at the International Institute of Biological Systems. CM. Berezina, LDC on 6th Sovetskaya, d. 24/26.
With timely treatment, somnologists in St. Petersburg will provide all the necessary assistance.
Specialist in Yekaterinburg
Residents can get help from a somnologist in Yekaterinburg at the following medical institutions.
The Center for Reconstructive Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Road Clinical Hospital at the Sverdlovsk-Passenger station on 9A Nadezhdinskaya. Center patients have the opportunity to undergo a full comprehensive examination in a hospital and then be observed on an outpatient basis.
Sverdlovsk Regional Hospital No. 2, Department of Functional and Ultrasound Diagnostics on the embankment of Working Youth, 3.
What to look for?
A somnologist is a doctor who can save a person from sleep problems. People who turned to a specialist on time were able to get rid of snoring, apnea and improve well-being with hypertension. According to reviews, the somnologist either prescribes treatment based on the diagnosis, or adjusts it if the patient is observed by another specialist. This approach allows you to get rid of ailments of almost 85% of respondents.