(NewsUSA)- Here are some eye-opening numbers: Insomnia affects more than 70 million Americans and is one of the most common complaints doctors hear from their patients.
In the 2005 Sleep in America poll, the National Sleep Foundation found that 75 percent of adults reported having at least one symptom of a sleep problem a few nights a week or more within the past year. And only half (49 percent) said they have "a good night's sleep" every night or almost every night.
And according to research published in a 2004 issue of Sleep Medicine Review, up to 40 percent of people 65 and older suffer from sleep problems including difficulties falling asleep and maintaining sleep, and early morning waking with an inability to return to sleep.
But the drugs used most often to treat insomnia can have unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects, especially in people over age 60. Among them: cognitive effects, falls, inability to coordinate the muscles in voluntary movement and daytime fatigue.
At a National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference on insomnia last summer, an independent panel of experts suggested that non-drug approaches to sleeplessness could provide more effective treatment for many patients.
There are many options consumers can try. For instance, studies show that cognitive-behavioral therapy, which addresses the anxiety-producing beliefs about sleep and sleep loss, can be as effective as prescription drugs for short-term treatment of insomnia.
Another alternative to medication is to use a calming product like Insomnia, from the "Spray" line of sublingual sprays. A combination of natural remedies, it can relieve the anxiety and stress that make falling asleep difficult.
Tai chi, yoga, acupuncture and light therapy also may be helpful in treating insomnia.
If you frequently experience insomnia, it's wise to seek the advice of a physician, who will determine whether medication is appropriate for your situation. While today's sleeping pills are less likely to cause dependence and lethal overdoses than past generations of sleeping medications, there are still risks. That's especially true for seniors and people who have such medical conditions as liver and kidney disease.
The spray curbs immediate symptoms and works at a deeper level, helping people who suffer from insomnia sleep more soundly and comfortably. It acts gently and causes no side effects, according to its manufacturer. For information, call (866) 412-7827 or visit www.thespray.com.
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