One in 10 Britons ask their GP for sleeping pills A recent poll has found that 9% of people have asked for sleep medication Many surveyed blamed sleeplessness on late night texts and emails One in eight are kept awake by lights from devices on charge by bedside The survey found just 16 per cent of people regularly get eight hours sleep during the week Nearly one in ten Britons have asked their doctor for sleeping pills, according to new research. A study found modern technology is increasingly being blamed for causing sleepless nights for millions of people. It has prompted nine per cent of adults to ask their GP for sleeping pills. According to new research by health brand Potter's Herbals, 44 per cent of people say smartphones and tablet computers hinder their ability to sleep at night. Sixteen per cent of people questioned said texts received on their mobile phone at night disrupted their sleep, while nine per cent are kept awake by emails on laptop and tablet computers in their bedrooms. One in eight people are even kept awake by the lights from devices on charge on beside tables, while one in five say too much light generally disrupts sleep patterns. Having a TV on in a bedroom keeps 18 per cent of people awake, while seven per cent said working on a laptop or playing computer games lead to late nights. Around 45 per cent of the 1,000 people questioned said not being able to switch off generally kept them awake, while 19 per cent said work worries stopped them falling asleep. More than 10 per cent said arguments with a partner kept them awake, while 22 per cent blamed general work worries for sleepless nights. Money worries caused 23 per cent to lose sleep, while concerns over their body image delayed going to sleep for nine per cent. A snoring partner was a big disruption in many households, with 17 per cent of those questioned blaming this for lack of sleep. The survey found just 16 per cent of people regularly get eight hours sleep during the week, while 34 per cent get seven hours and 17 per cent survive on between four and six hours. More than 15 per cent of people questioned said texts received on their mobile phone at night disrupted their sleep, while nine per cent are kept awake by emails on laptop and tablet computers in their bedrooms. One in eight people are even kept awake by the lights from devices on charge on beside tables Researchers say that stress from sleepless nights can lead to significant behaviour problems, including rows with family members, inability to focus at work and being short tempered with work colleagues. One in five men also said they tended to get more grey hair when they are stressed with one in ten men saying that their hair also thinned out. Women, however, noticed the effects more on their skin with over one in five saying that their skin would become drier. Dr Chris Etheridge, an independent medical herbalist, said: 'This research reveals an astonishing insight into our approach to health and millions of us suffer from daily health gripes. What we eat and how active we are can have a major impact on our digestive wellbeing. A spokesman for Potter's Herbals said: 'A good night's sleep is essential for a healthy mind and body. Yet according to our research many people complain about poor quality sleep. And of these, almost one in five not only has difficulty falling asleep but also often wake in the night.