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Article: Chronic Insomnia Baffles Sleep Experts
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- June 16, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Associated Press. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Associated Press. (Hide copyright information)
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LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
AP Online
06-16-2005
Dateline: WASHINGTON
Millions of Americans lie awake at night counting sheep _ or have a stiff drink or pop an allergy pill, hoping it will make them drowsy. But experts agree all that self-medicating is a bad idea, and the causes of chronic insomnia remain mysterious.
Almost a third of adults have trouble sleeping, and about 10 percent have symptoms of daytime impairment that signal true insomnia.
Sufferers readily cite the resulting problems: walking around in a fog, as memory and other cognitive functions slow. Dozing off at the wheel or at work. Depression. Lack of energy.
But for all the complaints, scientists know surprisingly ...