Millions of Americans Have Trouble Sleeping
The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology
Rip Van Winkle must be rolling over in his grave.
Unlike the fictional character who slept peacefully for a few decades, insomnia is a growing problem for many Americans.
According to a first-of-its-kind study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine-million Americans are using sleeping pills to help them catch a few winks.
As with all medications, there are risks to taking sleeping pills.
An audio version of this story.
“It’s better to have (insomnia sufferers) sleep, rather than suffer the consequences from a sleeping pill. Sleeping pills do have side effects. Certainly, dependence on them is not uncommon, but generally they work quite well,” says Dr. Russell Rosenberg, with the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology.
The researchers at the CDC say the recent rise in insomnia could be linked to financial concerns from the recent recession, obesity-related sleep apnea and even the late-night use of social media.
The CDC’s findings are based on about 17,000 adults.
Health experts say sleeping problems can lead to many other medical issues like heart disease, diabetes and depression.
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