Many doctors address women's sleep issues

NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. survey has found many physicians are knowledgeable about women's sleep issues and how to actively manage sleep problems.

The survey of 364 pulmonary/critical-care physicians -- identified as being interested in sleep and women's health issues -- found 81 percent regularly ask patients about their quality of sleep, while 72 percent regularly ask patients about their amount of sleep and 69 percent regularly ask patients about snoring.

The survey, issued by the American College of Chest Physicians Sleep Institute, also found 65 percent of the doctors regularly ask about the sleep habits of a patient's bed partner, and 61 percent regularly ask about the sleep problems of family members.

Sixty-seven percent of the physicians said they recommended behavioral therapy as the top treatment for sleep problems in women, followed by 33 percent who advised hypnotics, 25 percent anti-depressants and 12 percent hormonal therapy.

The voluntary, Web-based survey was distributed to 2,690 members of the ACCP who were identified as being interested in sleep and/or women's health issues.