Sleep Dunwoody Blog

So far, 47 states have passed laws that ban texting while driving, and many have taken this concept a step further, explicitly banning drivers from using handheld devices. Georgia is the latest state to follow suit. The “Hands-Free Georgia Act,” which went into effect on July 1, comes with many nuances, but in general motorists will be prohibited from holding a cell phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel.

Those in support of the law hope it will reduce the rising death toll on Georgia roads, which was 1,549 in 2017, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Similarly alarming numbers are reflected nationally. In 2016, 3,540 people were killed by distracted driving alone, according to the United States Department of Transportation.

This is a significant problem making our roads unsafe, and a large majority of drivers in the United States are at fault. Zendrive, a startup that gathers analytics on driver behavior, conducted the “largest distracted driving study to date” to assess the frequency of cell phone usage while behind the wheel. The 2017 study analyzed 3.1 million American drivers covering 5.6 billion miles. It was found that in 88% of trips, drivers were on their smartphones, which averaged 3.5 minutes of every hour. Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds increases your likelihood of a crash by over 20 times, according to Oregon State University.

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In a world where everyone is always trying to get ahead at work, you feel like you’re falling behind. You consistently feel tired, and your focus never fails to wander right when you need it the most. It’s affecting your ability to perform on the job and even your interactions with your coworkers. What is happening?

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Lynn consistently felt tired and unable to be present, both at work and in her personal life. As a seventh and eighth grade science teacher, having enough energy to get through the day with her class was becoming more and more difficult — but it was her snoring, which was affecting her husband’s rest at night, that ultimately led her to seek answers.

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Strokes are a scary topic — the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., they can happen to anyone at anytime with few apparent warning signs. Though sudden, the likelihood of a stroke is increased by the presence of other health conditions. These conditions often have symptoms that can be observed, identified, and treated — and effectively treating the preexisting condition decreases the likelihood of a stroke in the future.

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Millions of Americans deal with headaches every day, and for some, they always seem to occur in the morning right after they wake up or when they are feeling particularly tired. Studies have shown that headaches and sleep have an interdependent relationship, as headaches are two to eight times more common in those with sleep disorders.

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Does each sex experience sleep differently? Are women and men uniquely affected by rest? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Today, we take a look at the role of sleep in women and how it is uniquely different than that of their male counterparts.

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The number of people experiencing issues falling and staying asleep is on the rise, and researchers believe this is largely due to the fact that many are exposed to blue light emitted by phones and TV screens immediately before bed. According to experts, blue light delays melatonin release (the hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness), with sleep suffering as a result. Research proves that those who make checking technology before bed a regular habit experience a more difficult time falling and staying asleep.

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Most people know that driving while sleep-deprived isn’t a good idea, although they may admit to doing it at some time or another. The risks associated with drowsy driving may not even be something that crosses your mind, but it’s important to know that operating any kind of vehicle while drowsy is not only risky — it can be fatal.

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As many pets owners can attest to, our pets have a way of burrowing their way into our hearts and becoming a treasured part of our daily lives. A 2015 Harris poll revealed that 95% of pet owners consider their pet to be a full-fledged member of the family (which is more than what some people can say about their relatives!).

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As you’re likely already aware, obesity is, quite literally, a growing epidemic in the United States. You’ve heard it all before: more sedentary lifestyles, oversized food proportions and lack of access to healthy foods contribute to a nation-wide public health problem.

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