They said their patients are now roughly 10 percent more than five years ago. Although doctors at both medical facilities could not point to any studies to support their claim, they estimated that about 70 percent of the city’s 10 million adults suffer from insomnia, the chronic inability to fall asleep.

Insomnia, also defined as the inability to sleep for more than four hours a night, adversely affects a person’s digestive system and cardiovascular system, said medical specialists.

Many in their 20s or 30s have a strong sense of self-esteem and they get very discouraged when encountering difficulties, said Shuguang’s Dr. Jiang Youqian. “Therefore, many get insomnia because of the strong social competition.”

People in their 40s or 50s are most likely to suffer from insomnia because they have family and career responsibilities, doctors said.

“Many middle-aged men are overworked during the day but have an active social life at night. Only through a normal cycle of work and rest can those who suffer from insomnia get rid of it,” Jiang said.

For those older than 60, their deteriorating physical condition and loneliness, including neglect by their children, can cause insomnia, doctors said.

The best solution is not sleeping pills but a change in lifestyle, positive thinking and perhaps medical treatment, said Dr. Wang Qiaochu of the insomnia center.

(Eastday.com 02/23/2001)