Kuala Lampur, Jan. 27 -- An elderly gentleman, close to his 70s, came to see me for choking spells at night and difficulty maintaining sleep. He was slightly overweight and had an underlying kidney disorder. What was striking was not only the nature of his symptoms, but the fact that he had never previously consulted a medical professional, despite months of disturbed sleep. Like many people, he had tried to cope quietly. He had also tried a medication for several months-hoping it would improve his sleep quality-without any meaningful relief.

His concerns were sincere and specific: he did not feel rested, he woke frequently, and he sometimes felt as though he was choking. Not surprisingly, he had looked for answers. A quick search online...