A baby may spend 20 hours of each day sleeping. This gradually lessens and most adults make do with about six to eight hours per day.

Insomnia is a common problem, for many this is a result of their emotional distress.

Depression usually leads to sleep disturbance and this is commonly frequent waking during the night or early morning awakening.

Most babies in the first few weeks of life cry before dropping off to sleep and some parents do not allow them to “wind down” but become anxious and pick them up. This may lead to future sleep disorder.

About one in every 40 people walks in his or her sleep.

Sleepwalking and night terrors tend to run in families and are prominent in males.

Sleep terrors tend to occur more in children and they are different to nightmares.

The child will suddenly sit or jump up, crying out, appear distressed and can’t be consoled.

This lasts several minutes and then the child drops back to sleep and has no memory of the episode.

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Diets which stress no carbohydrates or high protein or fat can be dangerous unless followed under strict medical and dietetic control.

Drugs are often used to help people lose weight. They are of little use, except in special cases. Most of the appetite suppressant drugs are derived from amphetamine. They may reduce the appetite at the start, but tend to lose this effect after a month or so.

Unfortunately, because of their stimulant effect, some people become addicted to them.

There are some anorexiants or appetite suppressing drugs which appear to be free of these side effects, but in my experience are of little value.

Diuretics are often used, but these rid the body of water, not fat. After taking them you can see that your weight has dropped a kilo or two. But it will all come back again once your body re-establishes its water balance.

Thyroid tablets are sometimes used. All that happens is that normal production of this hormone by the thyroid gland is shut down. If bigger doses are given this can put a strain on the heart.

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