Sleeplessness

Insomnia orsleeplessness is a common complaint of women as they enter into menopause.In-somnia means having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or the feelingthat

your sleep was notadequate for you .For women who are having night sweats,their sleep is brokenby frequent a-wakening and therefore not refreshing. Generally once the

night sweats arecontrolled a normal sleep pattern returns .If it doesn't it may be,or havebecome chronic insomnia. How do you know?

if you suffer frominsomnia every night or most nights for a period of one month then you havechronic insomnia. If you're not having night sweats then it's time to look for

other causes ofsleep-lessness. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common causes ofchronic insomnia. If you feel depressed you need to be checked by a

qualified healthcare provider. Movement disor- ders such as restless leg syndrome are second onthe list of insomnia for them,there are new med-icines that may help. Other

common causes areshift working,and pain.

In up to 30%of peoplewith chronic insomnia no cause can be identified.Medical treatment of thesepeople has generally been with sleeping pills.It is estimated that 25% of

the adult popu-lation in Americatook some type of medicines for sleep last year. It is generally agreed thatsleep-ing pills should only be in the lowest dose and for the

shortest possibletime.

Sleep hygiene isdirected at changing bad sleep habits.The recommendations arE.-Go to bed onlywhen sleepy．-Do not waitup to a specified time．-Avoid caffeine and

alcohol in theevening,etc.Concerning the useof sleeping pills,which of the following statements is true?

A.Most adultAmericans use sleeping pills for sleep.

B. Doctors seldomgive sleepless people sleeping pills.

C. Sleeping pillsshould be used for a very fixed period.

D. Sleeping pillsshould be used in a very small amount.