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Article: Mysteries of insomnia keep doctors awake
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- June 16, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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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 problems resulting from insomnia:
walking around in a fog, as memory and other cognitive functions
slow. Dozing off at the wheel or at work. Depression. Lack of energy.
Scientists know surprisingly little about what causes chronic