Something worth losing sleep over
August 1, 2007 (HealthDay News) – New research has found that more than 80 percent of American children who visit a doctor for help combating sleep problems are given some form of prescription medication, despite the fact that no sleeping pills are currently approved for use in kids. In terms of therapies prescribed, the researchers found that 7 percent of the patients were recommended diet and nutritional counseling, while 22 percent were offered behavioral therapy. Mental health and stress management treatment was offered to 17 percent of patients. By contrast, 81 percent of the children and teens were prescribed some sort of medication for their sleep issues. Dr. Gregg Jacobs, an insomnia specialist with the Sleep Disorders Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass., said prescribing drugs often sidesteps the underlying causes of sleep trouble. "Besides which, behavioral methods of treatment are extremely effective," added Jacobs. "...