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Somnologists: Doctors Who Help You Sleep Better

  • Writer: Apeksha Agarwal
    Apeksha Agarwal
  • Mar 5
  • 3 min read

By: Apeksha Agarwal





Have you ever struggled to fall asleep at night or have woken up tired despite having a full night’s rest? More than 50 million people experience sleep disorders that affect not only their mental health but also their physical health. That’s where somnologists- doctors who specialize in sleep medicine- come in.


What is a somnologist?

A somnologist, commonly known as a sleep specialist, is a doctor who has specialized training and skills in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.  

While sleep medicine is considered a subspeciality, many somnologists specialize in broader areas as well. Most somnologists usually specialize in broader areas such as: 

  • Neurology: understanding how the brain regulates sleep

  • Pulmonology: Treating breathing-related sleep disorders

  • Psychiatry: Controlling mental health conditions that impact sleep

  • Otolaryngology: Addressing bodily airway structural issues that may be causing a disturbance in sleep



How to Become a Somnologist

Becoming a somnologist takes long-term commitment and dedication. It usually requires about 12 years or more years of education including completion of undergraduate college, medical school, residency, and fellowship.

  1. Undergraduate degree (4 years): To begin, one must attain a bachelor’s degree. Though a certain major isn’t required, is it recommended to take one that is related to pre-med coursework like biology, chemistry, or physics? During this time, you should maintain a good GPA and obtain a good score on the Medical College Administration Test (MCAT).

  2. Medical School (4 years): The following 4 years are spent in medical school completing either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program. This is where you will have clinical rotations and will have the opportunity to participate in research opportunities. In medical school, students will have to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examinations (COMLEX-USA).

  3. Residency (3 years): After medical school, students need to be matched into a residency program, which provides training within a specialized area. Before specializing in sleep medicine, one can choose to apply for many areas. Some areas include neurology, otolaryngology, psychiatry, and pulmonology.

  4. Fellowship (1-2 years): Finally, after residency, one must complete a one-year or two-year fellowship program focused on sleep medicine. This is necessary to become a specialist in the area of sleep medicine. 



What Disorders Do Somnologists Treat?

  

Sleep is essential for good immune health, physical health, mental health, and brain function. However, many people suffer from conditions that limit or restrict their amount of sleep. Somnologists treat a range of disorders including the following: 

  1. Insomnia: The most common sleep disorder that affects about 30% of adults. Symptoms can include difficulty staying asleep, falling asleep, or waking up too early. Usually, it is caused by stress or bad habits that cause sleep disruption.

  2. Narcolepsy: Is a neurological condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness, sudden sleep periods, and muscle weakness. Narcolepsy is usually caused by a genetic disorder that could happen due to a deficiency in the brain chemical hypocretin.

  3. Sleep Apnea: This is a sleep and pulmonary disorder. During sleep people stop breathing for periods of time, majorly reducing their oxygen levels during sleep putting them at risk. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) where sleep apnea is caused by blockages in the airway system. There are many factors that can contribute to the development of sleep apnea including obesity, heart problems, age, family genetic history, and many more. 


How do Somnologists Treat Sleep Disorders?

To accurately diagnose sleep disorders somnologists use various advanced diagnostic tools to help assess sleep patterns, breathing, and brain activity during sleep. 

  1. Sleep Study (Polysomnography): Done overnight in a sleep lab where patients are monitored while they sleep. Measures oxygen levels, brain waves, heart rate, breathing patterns, and muscle activity. Used to diagnose sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and parasomnias.

  2. Home Sleep Apnea Tests

  3. A portable test that monitors breathing, oxygen levels, and airflow

  4. Often used to confirm suspected cases of sleep apnea.

  5. Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

  6. Measures how quickly a person falls asleep during the day

  7. Helps diagnose narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness disorders

  8. Actigraphy

  9. A wrist-worn device that tracks sleep cycles over several weeks

  10. Useful for diagnosing circadian rhythm disorders











Works Cited

Singh, Abhinav. “What Is a Somnologist?” Sleep Foundation, 13 December 2023, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-clinics/somnologist. Accessed 27 February 2025.

Torres, Callie. “How to become a sleep doctor?” UMHS, 26 February 2024, https://www.umhs-sk.org/blog/how-to-become-a-sleep-doctor. Accessed 27 February 2025.

“What Is a Sleep Specialist (Somnologist)? What They Do.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/sleep-specialist-somnologist. Accessed 27 February 2025.

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