[Differential diagnosis of sleep disorders in old age].

Somnipathy represents neither an independent disease nor a nosological entity. The simple formulated complaint: "I can't sleep" requires a very detailed investigation of the surrounding conditions, habits and the physiological situation of the patient. Further one has to consider, resp. to rule out a great number of causes of diseases, i.e. those of the internal organs, the central nerve system and the psyche. The majority of cases of somnipathy in elderly patients reveals a treatable cause, of the prescription of hypnotics becomes unnecessary.