| Occasionally insomnia may result from lack of air | | | | drugs for sleeplessness who could do without |
| or overheating in the bedroom, oversupply or | | | | them, and many more are treating themselves |
| undersupply of bed clothing, cold feet, overloaded | | | | with the widely advertised products which induce |
| stomach, need of food, taking coffee or tea too | | | | sleep quickly. These are known as hypnotics, and |
| near bedtime, over-excitement or worry. This | | | | the strong sleep inducers are the narcotics. The |
| type of insomnia does not present too great a | | | | habit of taking these is easy to form and |
| problem, the remedy obvious. | | | | dangerous. |
| If insomnia is frequent or protracted enough to | | | | However, one may avoid the necessity of taking |
| threaten heath, a doctor should be consulted. He | | | | drugs by certain preparations before bedtime. A |
| will first carefully investigate to learn whether or | | | | fifteen to twenty minute walk, or a light massage |
| not the insomnia is associated with some physical | | | | before going to bed may help induce the proper |
| disorder such as high blood pressure, hardening of | | | | state of mind and body for sleep. A snack such |
| the arteries, or infections. The person's emotional | | | | as hot milk or cocoa, a warm bath, or reading a |
| condition will be studied. Anxieties about family or | | | | relaxing book before retiring is also helpful. |
| finances, or difficulties in job or carreer may be | | | | Watching an old movie on television is usually |
| the underlying disturbance. In cases in which the | | | | sufficient to induce sleep. |
| emotional cause is not apparent, psychotherapy | | | | With older people, who do not need as much |
| may help. In any case talking out troubles with | | | | sleep as when they were younger and more |
| friends or the physician may be a good idea. | | | | active, sleeplessness may cause frustration, |
| When the state of health is such that a rest or | | | | irritation, or nervousness. A glass of wine or |
| change is indicated, such a change should be | | | | warm milk will often induce sleep. Chronic |
| made. In all cases of insomnia the treatment is | | | | constipation may be a factor and changes in |
| directed to the cause, when this is found. | | | | eating habits and fluid intake may be in order. |
| Unfortunately many people are being treated with | | | | |