The book is set up into different sections covering such topics as: understanding sleep; sleeping well; sleep disorders; illness, ageing and sleep; sleep and neurological problems; women and sleep; children and adolescents; and finally, tests and treatments. Each of these sections is further divided into related categories containing common questions with simple, clear, non-jargon, answers designed for the average person. You'll learn about disrupted sleep, sleep apnea, snoring, respiratory disorders, the effects of sex and hormones, how sleep changes as we age, and more. The Q & A text is broken up with charts, images and sidebars with other helpful information like the chart of "natural preparations" that promote sleep or an example of a "sleep diary".
I found the book to be a very easy and informative read helping me understand my husband's insomnia as well as understand a common complaint we both share, snoring; although neither of us would admit it. Sleep is set up and well crossed referenced so that a reader does not have to read the entire book to find the topic they are looking for. Sleep was written by Renata L. Riha, MD. According to her, we spend one third of our lives asleep so it is vital to get a good night's sleep. After reading this book my husband even shared it with a colleague at work who was experiencing sleep issues. He too found it useful. This is a basic reference book that will answer questions in a number of different areas and is a good place to start.
As for book quality, I've read a number of DK books and am quite impressed with the quality of the reference books they produce. The covers and pages are heavy card stock which seem extra durable. They are books meant to be used for regular reference.
DK Publishing, 2007
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M. E. Wood lives in Eastern Ontario, Canada. If you are going to find this eclectic reader and writer anywhere it is probably at her computer. For more information visit her official lens.
