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Although insomnia is the most common sleep-wake-related complaint, measures for prevention and health promotion do not yet play an important role. Prevention in general may be differentiated according to the time course of the disease or the target group. More recent concepts comprise behavior- and relation-oriented insomnia prevention measures. Behavior-oriented prevention includes elements of sleep education and the correction of dysfunctional attitudes to enable the individual to modify their behavior in order to obtain better sleep. Although not scientifically proven, it is assumed that the application of sleep hygiene recommendations and the use of cognitive behavioral techniques at an early stage of insomnia are helpful in preventing transition to the chronic form. The aim of the relation-oriented prevention is the reduction of risk factors, not at an individual level, but at a structural level, including health promotion programs for better sleep. Recommendations for the prevention of chronic insomnia include sleep hygiene knowledge on an individual basis, the implementation of the issues 'sleep' and 'sleep disorders' in the health and educational system, the development of sleep medicine centers, and the consultation of sleep experts in the planning of shift work routines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Neuroimaging techniques provide fundamental and new insights into the neurobiology of the restless legs syndrome (RLS). Consequently, SPECT, PET and MR imaging of elements of the dopaminergic and iron system may contribute to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this frequent sleep-related movement disorder. However, SPECT and PET studies of the nigrostriatal pre- and postsynaptic dopamine receptor binding potentials have produced controversial results, possibly reflecting a subtle receptor dysfunction of the central dopaminergic system. In addition, alterations of the iron system as shown in MRI studies may produce a dopaminergic abnormality contributing to the RLS pathology. However, particularly due to methodological and technical limitations, no definite conclusions are possible and more refined functional and structural imaging studies are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Disturbed and nonrestorative sleep negatively affects working ability and tolerance of stress and is one of the risk factors for burnout. Other consequences are increased daytime fatigue and impairments of attention and concentration, which contribute to work-related accidents. Methods. The current investigation is based on a survey conducted by the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labor in 4,214 employees (BAK Study). Problems in initiating and maintaining sleep are analyzed with respect to work-related fatigue, general health, working ability, and work satisfaction. Results. About 23% of the sample complained of difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep occurring several times per week, which had significant negative effects on ratings of general health, working ability, and work-related fatigue. Sleep problems were also significantly correlated with age and gender, but not with a person's job, branch of work, marital status, and working satisfaction. Conclusion. Disturbed sleep is an important factor of daytime fatigue and has negative effects on general health and work ability. This is a major public health issue that should receive greater attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Somnologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Somnologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Somnologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the case of a 43-year-old female patient with a circadian rhythm sleep disorder of the irregular sleep-wake type. The patient lacked a clearly defined circadian rhythm of sleep and wake by sleep-log, with symptoms of insomnia and excessive sleepiness. She was asked to follow the rules of sleep hygiene, stimulus control and to stay on a defined sleep-window from 1pm-8am. Actigraphy, sleep diary and body temperature measurement showed an improvement of the sleep-wake-pattern and a regular sleep profile.