Sleep medicine deals with non-restorative sleep, daytime sleepiness, breathing disorders during sleep and sleep-related neurological or psychological complaints. The aim is to identify treatable causes and improve sleep quality, daytime performance and safety in everyday life.
Important for daytime sleepiness
If you experience severe daytime sleepiness, microsleep or reduced alertness, please do not drive or operate machinery until the cause has been medically clarified. Sudden breathing distress, chest pain or acute neurological symptoms require emergency medical care.
When sleep medicine assessment may be useful
A sleep medicine consultation can help when sleep is persistently not restorative or when sleep-related symptoms affect concentration, mood, cardiovascular health or everyday safety.
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early
Loud snoring, observed breathing pauses or choking sensations at night
Daytime sleepiness, microsleep or reduced concentration
Morning headaches, dry mouth or non-restorative sleep despite enough time in bed
Restless legs, unpleasant sensations in the legs or periodic leg movements
Sleepwalking, dream enactment, night terrors or unusual movements during sleep
Sleep problems related to depression, anxiety, stress or neurological disease
Problems with CPAP therapy, mask tolerance or follow-up after sleep laboratory diagnostics
Diagnostics
Sleep medicine diagnostics in the practice
Sleep disorders can have physical, neurological, psychiatric, medication-related and lifestyle-related causes. Diagnostics therefore combine a detailed sleep history with targeted examinations and, when indicated, technical sleep measurements.
Sleep history and sleep diary
Sleep times, sleep quality, daytime symptoms, work schedule, stress, caffeine, alcohol and medication are assessed to identify patterns and triggers.
Questionnaires and sleepiness scales
Standardized questionnaires can help estimate sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and the probability of sleep-related breathing disorders.
Sleep apnea screening
When sleep apnea is suspected, ambulatory measurements may record breathing, oxygen saturation, heart rate, body position and snoring during the night.
Sleep laboratory coordination
If more detailed diagnostics are necessary, examination in a sleep laboratory can be arranged or existing sleep laboratory findings can be evaluated.
Common sleep medicine topics
The following examples are common reasons for sleep medicine assessment. The exact diagnosis and treatment plan depend on the individual findings.
Insomnia and non-restorative sleep
Insomnia can involve difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, waking too early or feeling unrefreshed. Stress, habits, medication and medical or mental health conditions may contribute.
Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring
Obstructive sleep apnea can cause breathing pauses, oxygen drops and repeated arousals during sleep. Typical signs include loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and morning headaches.
Restless legs and periodic limb movements
Unpleasant sensations and an urge to move the legs, especially in the evening or at rest, can disturb falling asleep and sleep continuity.
Parasomnias and unusual behavior during sleep
Sleepwalking, night terrors, dream enactment or other unusual movements may require clarification, especially when injuries, daytime impairment or neurological causes are suspected.
Hypersomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness
Persistent daytime sleepiness can have many causes, including sleep apnea, insufficient sleep, medication effects, neurological disorders or psychiatric conditions.
Sleep and mental health
Depression, anxiety, stress and trauma-related symptoms can disturb sleep. At the same time, poor sleep can intensify psychological symptoms.
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Important information
Practice closure / substitute medical coverage
From May 5, 2026 through May 7, 2026, our practice will be closed.
Substitute medical coverage during this period will be provided by:
Dr. med. Marco Schmolke
Wandsbeker Chaussee 1
22049 Hamburg
Phone: (040) 25 19 630
From May 8, 2026, we will be available for you as usual.
