An estimated 60 million people suffer from sleeplessness in the United States. Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall asleep and remain asleep.  It can be caused by a number of factors including stress, medication, irregular work schedules, illness, pain, depression or anxiety and over-caffeination.

Experts recommend people get at least 8 hours of sleep a night, but studies find the average American gets just 6.8 hours of sleep -- 40 percent less than is suggested -— resulting in insufficient sleep. This has been deemed a public health crisis by the Centers for Disease Control.

Chronic sleeplessness has been linked to increased motor vehicle crashes, inefficiency in the workplace, obesity, cancer and diabetes.

So, what's the solution to persistent sleeplessness? To combat insomnia, some 9 million people —- or roughly 1 in 25 -- turn to prescription sleeping pills on a regular basis, with more adult women using a prescription sleep aid than men.  A market firm recently found sleep aid prescriptions tripled in young adults ages 18-24 between 1998 and 2006. But they are not without their downside. 

The FDA has issued warnings on some insomnia drugs such as Ambien because of a risk of impairing alertness upon awakening. Other prescription sleep drugs have been linked to burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet and legs, changes in appetite and constipation. Sleeping pills that are in the “sedative hypnotic” category such as benzodiazepines or barbiturates including Valium, Xanax, and Ativan, are effective in combating sleeplessness, but often are addicting and habit-forming.

In addition to a wide array of prescription medications for severe sleeplessness, there are a number of natural ways to combat insomnia, which leave its victims with fatigue, irritability and trouble concentrating.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests you set and keep a regular sleep schedule, exercise regularly, and select a relaxing bedtime ritual such as a hot bath or listening to calming music. Yoga, meditation or even prayer are also good choices for “winding down” before going to sleep.

There are also herbal teas and melatonin supplements that are helpful in gently helping people fall and remain asleep.

In the past few years, researchers have found that one of the biggest offenders in causing sleeplessness is technology used in our 24/7 society. Tablets and cell phones are often the last thing people look at before going to bed and the first thing they look at upon awakening. It's estimated that 95 percent of people use some sort of electronic device within an hour before going to bed.

Bright blue light emitted from cell phones and tablets has been found to reduce the natural creation of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and has effectively created a whole new generation of insomniacs. 

Experts suggest people set an e-curfew, and not use their electronic devices two hours before bedtime. Instead they recommend that people read regular books and completely turn off all electronics

The issue has become so widespread, that Apple is addressing the itin its iOS 9.3 update with its new Night Shift function. This will automatically adjust the color display on iPhones and iPads to project the warmer end of the spectrum to keep circadian rhythms intact after sundown. There's also an Android app, which safely adjusts blue light for users of Android devices.

For those whose insomnia is related to depression and anxiety, officials are integrating CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) along with medications to relieve chronic sleeplessness. There has also been an explosive growth in the use of Neurofeedback therapy as well as acupuncture for treatment of insomnia. Both non-drug modalities have shown promise in combating the underlying cause of insomnia including stress and pain.