CLEVELAND -- New research show that more than 40 million sleeping pill prescriptions were filled last year, up nearly 60 percent since 2000.

Are people really having that much trouble sleeping, or is it a case of drug company hype? NewsChannel5's Brad Harvey reported on what you should know before popping a pill for a good night's sleep.

We've seen the ads for drugs such as Lunesta and Ambien -- a huge marketing campaign for a variety of sleep drugs. They make sleeplessness look like an epidemic.

"You've got Internet, you've got TV, and especially all these ads, so everybody thinks they may have insomnia if they're not sleeping well," said Dr. Hitesh Makkar.

Makkar, with Summa Health System, says there's a basic cause behind those sleeplessness nights. It could be chronic pain, depression or just bad habits such as caffeine too late at night.

The drugs are fine for occasional use, but they don't solve the problem, and for some users, there could be a darker side.

"Some of the drug companies now market, 'We have no hangover effect.' But they'll tell you, 'Give yourself the full eight hours of sleep' because they know if you wake up sooner, you're going to have the hangover effect," said Makkar.

It's that hangover effect that is attracting controversy. Though it was never proved, some investigators believe it could have contributed to the crash of the Staten Island Ferry in 2003, which killed 11 passengers.

There are a variety of sleep disorder clinics now to deal with issues such as insomnia.

"Typically for the insomnia patient, many things have already been tried. They've already tried medication, they've already tried behavioral therapy. They're just desperate by the time they come to us," said Irene Harland, of the Summa Sleep Disorders Center.

When all else fails, patients are wired up and their sleep is monitored by a camera in a room that looks much like a bedroom.

The room is dark, but infrared light allows the technician next door to see everything the patient is doing.

Sometimes the research shows people are sleeping much more than they realized, and they may learn of other, even potentially life-threatening problems, such as sleep apnea and depression.

But with millions of Americans leading ever more frantic lifestyles and finding a good night's sleep elusive, more and more come to doctors demanding the medications they've seen on television.

"They're consumers, and they're coming in for that. But the physician has the responsibility then of saying, 'You're a good candidate for that, you're not a good candidate, and this is what I recommend,' so I think it's going to be a double-edged sword," said Makkar.

Cleveland Clinic: (216) 444-2165 or (800) 223-2273, ext. 42165, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; After hours: (216) 444-8536 or (800) 223-2273, ext. 48536

University Hospitals of Cleveland: (216) 844-8447 or (888) 844-8447

Summa Health System: (330) 379-5013

Akron General Hospital:

Sleep Disorders Center
Akron General Medical Center
400 Wabash Avenue
Akron, OH 44307
(330) 344-6751

Montrose Sleep Center
Akron General Health & Wellness Center – West
4125 Medina Road
Akron, OH 44333
(330) 665-8211
Appointments: (330) 996-5760