Sleep Disorders: In Depth

Did you know that 40 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder? Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) is one of the most common problems.

If you have trouble sleeping, some complementary approaches may help, particularly relaxation techniques such as guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation. Relaxation techniques are generally considered safe.

The dietary supplement melatonin may help people with insomnia, but its effect is small. Melatonin may be more helpful, though, for sleep problems associated with shift work or jet lag. Melatonin appears to be relatively safe for short-term use, but its long-term safety hasn’t been established.

There’s no conclusive evidence on whether the herbs chamomile and valerian are helpful for insomnia.