title: [The NHG guideline 'Sleep problems and sleeping pills'].
abstract: The Dutch College of General Practitioners' (NHG) guideline 'Sleep problems and sleeping pills' provides recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent sleep problems and for the management of chronic users of sleeping pills. The preferred approach for sleeplessness is not to prescribe medication but to give information and behavioural advice. Practice assistants of the Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care are also expected to be able to undertake this management. The GP may consider prescribing sleeping pills for a short period only in cases of severe insomnia with considerable distress. Chronic users of sleeping pills should be advised by the GP to stop using them or to reduce the dose gradually (controlled dose reduction). The GP may refer patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) to a pulmonary or ear, nose and throat specialist or neurologist for further diagnosis depending on the regional arrangements. The GP may then consider the cardiovascular risk factors commonly present with OSA. In patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) who continue to experience major distress despite being given advice without the prescription of medication, the GP may consider prescribing a dopamine agonist.
authors: Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, afd. Richtlijnontwikkeling en Wetenschap, Utrecht.
authors: Zamire
authors: Z
authors: Damen-van Beek
authors: Peter L B J
authors: PL
authors: Lucassen
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Gorgels
authors: Antonette F H
authors: AF
authors: Smelt
authors: Arie
authors: A
authors: Knuistingh Neven
authors: Margriet
authors: M
authors: Bouma
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D058006:General Practice / Q000592:standards*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009426:Netherlands; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives