Solving sleep problems starts with an assessment, Elizabeth Tracey reports.

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Many millions of people worldwide complain of insomnia, putting them at risk for poor health outcomes. Charlene Gamaldo, a sleep expert at Johns Hopkins, says while it is tempting to just turn to a medicine to help you sleep, that’s not the best strategy.

Gamaldo: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine as well as American College of physicians do not see medications as first line. First line is behavioral strategies. Sleep is so wonderful because you got to talk to the patient and it's personalized for them, because there are so many people with insomnia but the way they got there is going to be unique to them. That's where talking to the patient, figuring out what are the factors in your life, in your environment and your medication that is creating the situation where your sleeping isn't as good as it can be.          :32

Gamaldo notes that finding a sleep expert could start with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine or your primary care provider, so a comprehensive approach can be taken. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.