Do they work? How long should you take them for? Can they cause addiction? Jo Macfarlane asks the experts everything you need to know…
Hours of tossing and turning. Lying awake, night after night. Insomnia is a killer – literally. It has been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.
Yet one of the simplest remedies is also the most controversial. Sleeping pills, taken by 2.4 million people in the UK, have been linked to addiction, overdose, daytime grogginess and even a greater risk of death compared to those who don’t use them. Many doctors believe they’re a last resort, and should be used only for limited periods.