Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Using the most up-to-date findings from clinics around the country, sleep specialist Dr. Katherine Albert helps those suffering from insomnia to understand the different types of insomnia, including sleeplessness, difficulty initiating sleep, early awakenings, and “subjective insomnia” (the feeling that one is getting less sleep than is actually the case), and what to do about them. She addresses special situations that may cause or contribute to insomnia, such as circadian-rhythm disturbances or specific medical problems. Using a diagnostic quiz, readers can analyze their own sleeping patterns and learn how to determine both the physical and psychological factors affecting their sleep, as well as the best way to combat their type of sleeplessness. Dr. Albert recommends alternative therapies as well as traditional medicine to overcome different sleep problems. She addresses the pros and cons of prescription medications, as well as the use of melatonin. Most people, says Dr. Albert, will benefit not from medication but from changes in diet, exercise, and sleep rituals. She also discusses nontraditional remedies such as homeopathy and other techniques. For those with more severe sleeping disorders, Dr. Albert discusses how to find the right therapist or doctor.