Piedmont Athens Regional highlights sleep health during National Sleep Awareness Month

Athens, Ga. (March 26, 2026) — Nearly three weeks after most of the country moved to daylight saving time, many individuals are still struggling to adjust their sleep cycles and return to feeling fully rested. For some, however, feeling rested is rare at any time of year. During National Sleep Awareness Month, Piedmont Athens Regional is raising awareness about the importance of sleep health and the significant impact sleep disorders can have on daily life.

“Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to overall good health,” said Joe Granato, manager of sleep medicine and neurophysiology services at Piedmont Athens Regional. “Poor sleep can have a negative impact on your heart, create hormone imbalances, raise the risk of diabetes, increase the risk of an accident due to fatigue, and in children and teens, impact healthy growth and development.”

Many Americans live with chronic sleep problems, often without realizing it. Throughout Sleep Awareness Month, Piedmont encourages people to learn more about the risks associated with sleep disorders and to take a closer look at their own sleep habits and patterns.

Common sleep disorders in adults include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and other sleep movement disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and narcolepsy. Children can also experience sleep disorders, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and parasomnias including nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking and sleep talking as well as circadian rhythm disorders.

Granato recommends approaching sleep health with the same consistency people apply to nutrition and exercise. Healthy sleep habits include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, limiting screen time before bed, creating a comfortable sleep environment, avoiding large meals, caffeine and excessive alcohol late in the evening, and paying attention to persistent sleep difficulties. Those who continue to experience problems sleeping should speak with their physician about whether a sleep study is appropriate.

Piedmont Athens Regional offers both hospital-based and at-home sleep studies to help identify underlying sleep disorders that may be affecting a patient’s rest. Sleep studies are available for adults and children, with Piedmont teams working closely with each patient’s primary care physician to diagnose, treat and alleviate symptoms.

For more information about sleep services offered at Piedmont Athens Regional, visit piedmont.org and search Sleep Care, or schedule an appointment with a Piedmont primary care physician to learn more.