Are medication or non-medication remedies better for sleep problems?

Generally, many people seek non-medication treatments for sleep disorders before using medication, though medication works best when people also use behavioral strategies as well as medication. For example, daily exercise, avoiding alcohol and caffeine during the day (these substances can impact sleep), having a cool room and slowly reducing activity before bedtime (physically preparing for sleep). That said, some people try everything and they can't sleep and so they may use medications, whether over the counter or prescription. Some medications work better for some people than for others so like other medications it can be a trial and error experience before people find the medication that fits. Sometimes the side effects of sleep medications may make some people choose not to take them anymore.