[Sleep disorders: principles, basic diagnostics and elementary measures and recommendations].

Sleep disorders are frequent. Economic costs and impairment of quality of life can be substantial. Usually, patients suffer from insomnia or hypersomnia. Several effective therapeutic options are available. Sleep disorders appear independently or accompany a multitude of organic and psychiatric diseases. Fatigue has to be distinguished from sleep disorders clearly. For classification, the ICSD-3, published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, is used. Patients should be explicitly asked for their sleep quality, for many do not report actively. Patient's history and clinical examination usually narrow the diagnosis to a large extent. Clinical diagnostics should be carried out according to the diagnostic algorithm by the German Sleep Society (DGSM). An optimal sleep hygiene and if necessary weight reduction are crucial and can prevent chronification and health consequences. In addition, assistive technology, drug therapy, behaviour therapy, and in few cases surgery are available.