#565 Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Do you get eight hours of sleep a night? It turns out that most Americans don’t. The NIH has declared chronic insomnia a major public health problem. Teenagers and young children are especially likely to be sleep deprived. How does chronic sleep loss affect overall health?
There are new sleeping pills being advertised. How well do Sonata, Lunesta and Rozerem work? Are there any side effects and are these pills safe for long-term use?
Guest: Martin Scharf, PhD, is a leader in clinical research technologies for sleep and its disorders. He founded the Tri-State Sleep Disorders Center in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1985.