The treatment is related to the cause, if the cause can be determined. If there is an obvious physical or psychological disorder causing insomnia, it should be treated. Depression is a very common cause of insomnia and can usually be treated with medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, or interpersonal therapy.

In addition, oral appliance therapy, positional therapy, somnoplasty, laser surgery or UP3 (where the tissue at the back of the throat is removed) are other ways to help sleep apnea patients attain restful sleep.

The tendency to be early to bed and early to rise increases as we grow older. Most persons adapt successfully but some of us find that our bodies say, "It's bedtime," earlier than we desire - often well before 9 p.m. Known as advanced sleep phase syndrome (or ASPS) this problem can wreck havoc with social life. Most persons with ASPS try numerous strategies to help them stay awake. Even if they succeed in pushing bedtime later, they may not be able to sleep any later because their body clocks still awaken them in the early morning hours.

Evidence suggests that melatonin is not effective in treating most primary sleep disorders with short-term use, although there is some evidence to suggest that melatonin is effective in treating delayed sleep phase syndrome with short-term use.

Natural remedies have been used for years to treat sleep disorders. One of the most popular "natural" remedies for insomnia has been melatonin, which can be obtained at most pharmacies and health food stores. Melatonin is a hormone that is known to be involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness. It has been shown that the ingestion of melatonin prior to bedtime will help individuals fall asleep. However, scientific data have failed to confirm that melatonin is useful in maintaining sleep.

You can address most common sleep problems through lifestyle changes and improved sleep hygiene but it is important to see your doctor or a sleep specialist for a diagnosis if your sleep does not improve. A doctor who specializes in sleep problems is most skilled in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Sometimes sleep specialists work out of a sleep center; others are independent.

To determine if you have a sleep disorder, first pay attention to your sleep habits and daily routine. Whether you are trying to help yourself or planning to visit a doctor, it is helpful to record your sleep habits. Your sleep history will help you and your doctor find the cause of your sleep problems.

Your primary-care physician may be able to deal with depression as a temporary side effect or the everyday blues, but it's a psychiatrist who is trained in the ins and outs of major depression and its treatment, and it's a psychiatrist who is most able to suggest the treatment option that, tailored to your particular situation and combination of issues, is most likely to succeed.

Regularize your sleep hours. Irregular sleep hours can throw off your sleep cycles and lead to breathing problems during the most important sleep stages. Stabilizing bedtime hours and eliminating disturbances to your sleep can reduce sleep apnea.

Eliminate the use of alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives such as sleeping pills. Avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco, and sleeping pills can reduce the likelihood of airway closure during the night.