"O sleep, O gentle sleep, Nature's soft nurse, how have I frightened thee?" Henry IV, Shakespeare.

Most of us take sleep for granted — that time when we finally forget our worries and allow our bodies to settle into that seemingly magical state of rest and restoration.

It is easy to forget that sleep is, in fact, a very complex function that is easily disturbed.

About 40 percent of all people will experience acute insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, each year. Their problems include difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking too early and non-refreshing sleep.

Does everyone need eight hours of sleep per night? Of course not. The normal range seems to fall between six and nine hours, although there are some historical figures, such as Napoleon Bonaparte, who are rumored to have required only four hours of sleep a day.

In fact, it is not the amount of time you sleep that matters at all — it is how you feel afterward. Are you well rested and energized? Or do you still feel fatigued, irritable or have a difficult time concentrating during the day? These are the people who may have a problem.

Insomnia is most often a symptom of another underlying condition. Psychological causes, such as anxiety, depression and stress account for one-half of all cases. About 10 to 15 percent of the time, drugs are the cause of sleep disturbances. This would include such medications as decongestants, steroids, ephedra, some antidepressants and others, including illicit drugs. An acute illness, even a cold, can temporarily interrupt normal sleep patterns.

Here are some things you should try before seeing your clinician:

• Try to keep a regular sleep schedule. No naps!

• Avoid nicotine, caffeine and other stimulants.

• Avoid using alcohol as a sedative. It may help you fall asleep, but the resulting sleep is often shallow, fragmented and not restorative.

• Exercise regularly.

• Do not eat a heavy meal before bed.

• Use your bed only for sleeping or lovemaking. Do not watch TV or read in bed. If you have not fallen asleep in 20 minutes, get out of bed and return only when you feel you are ready to sleep.

If these common remedies have not helped, come and see us. We would be happy to help.

Ear ringing could indicate disorder

Question: For the last couple of months, I have had numbness in the first three fingers of my right hand. It happens off and on and the numbness lasts two to three hours. It feels as if they have “fallen asleep.” Should I see someone about this?

Answer: You may have a repetitive motion disorder. Symptoms tend to be vague and involve pain in the arms and/or hands. You’ve heard of Carpal tunnel syndrome — where an occasional numbness and tingling in the thumb and first two fingers of the affected hand occurs because tendons and tissues surrounding the wrist become swollen. This swelling causes compression of a nerve that passes through the “tunnel” formed by the wrist bones (carpals) and a ligament. Left untreated, it progresses to constant pain (versus numbness and tingling) in the whole hand and sometimes the arm.

Pay attention to the following: What fingers are affected and how often does it happen? Do you prop your elbow on a desk or some other surface repeatedly for long periods of time that might cause your wrist to be put in an awkward position? After resting your hand, do the numbness and tingling continue? What activities seem to be associated with the problem?

The more information and clues you can give your health care providers, the better they will be able to diagnose your problem and help you on the road to recovery!

Question: Recently I went to a really loud concert. I wasn’t surprised to have a ringing in my ears the next morning, but now it has lasted for several days. Should I be worried?

Answer: A ringing, hissing, or other sound in the ears or head when no external sound is present is called “tinnitus.” For some people, tinnitus is just a nuisance. For others, it is a life-altering condition. In the United States, an estimated 12 million people have tinnitus to a distressing degree.

Listening to loud music at concerts or at home with headphones can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing.

If the music was especially loud, it may account for why the ringing in your ears lasted longer than it normally does. If you want to keep enjoying music, invest in some earplugs. Replace them after a few wears to reduce the risk of an ear infection. If the ringing persists, consult with your health care provider or a hearing specialist.