It's no surprise that few of us manage to get the recommended eight hours of sleep nightly. But according to the American Sleep Association, chronic sleep disorders affect as many as 40 million Americans. Indeed, recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a quarter of respondents experience difficulty falling asleep and a third have trouble due to fitful sleep, snoring or waking unrefreshed in the morning. Especially during the holiday season, late night hours spent wrapping presents or celebrating with friends could potentially kick off a year of sleep challenges.

"Excessive daytime sleepiness can be an indication of an undiagnosed sleep-related disorder," said the CDC's Michael Decker. "Insufficient sleep and sleep disorders are associated with chronic diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and obesity. Sleep-related issues also can be primary symptoms of mental illness such as depression. But sleep-related issues also can be symptoms of other problems."

There is a clear and growing need for sleep solutions. In a recent report entitled "Sleep Aid Products in the U.S. Market: Non-Prescription OTC, Natural and Alternative Remedies," the market research firm Packaged Facts projected the OTC sleep aids market - including pillows, herbal remedies and aromatherapy - to reach $759 million by 2013. It also noted that menopausal women face sleep struggles related to aging, such as sleep apnea, snoring, restless leg syndrome and insomnia.

naturalproductsinsider.com, December 29, 2008