If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’ve got company. Americans’ use of sleeping pills has jumped nearly 60 percent since 2000.

While close to 42 million prescriptions for sleep aids were filled in 2005, these popular pills fail to address the underlying causes of insomnia.

In fact, many drugs can actually worsen sleep quality (increasing light sleep while decreasing the time spent in deep sleep).

Plus they have significant side effects, ranging from amnesia, anxiety, dry mouth, a “drugged” feeling, diarrhea, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, inflammation of the sinuses and throat, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, rash, palpitations, and urinary tract infection.

The incidence of drugged drivers has been growing steadily for the past five years-putting us all at risk. The causes of insomnia range far beyond the considerable stress of our 24/7 lifestyles.

Aging, allergies, sleep apnea, arthritis, breathing problems, cardiovascular disease, chronic reflux, depression, diabetes, exposure to heavy metals, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches, hormonal changes, hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, obstructive pulmonary disease, restless legs, urinary problems, and vitamin deficiencies are only a few reasons for insomnia.

But insomnia’s results are often the same: accidents, difficulty coping, emotional instability, fatigue, foggy thinking, and irritability.

Long-term sleep deprivation is linked to several chronic health conditions, a weakened immune system, and even weight gain — making a holistic, rather than a magic bullet, approach wise. Regular sleep habits, exercise early in the day, massage, and cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful. [source: Taste for Life]