Centers where most sleep studies are conducted can be very cold, sterile environments – despite attempts to make them look like real bedrooms. The Sleep Health Center treats patients in a relaxing, non-threatening environment.

We are conveniently located at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, near the Civic Center, at 1101 Van Ness Avenue. Sleep center patients register as a hotel patron at the Front Desk and proceed to one of four specially-designated rooms for their sleep studies.

Going Beyond Medicine in Comfort

The well-appointed rooms have cable TV to help patients relax. Unlike other sleep centers, we go beyond medicine with a private bathroom with shower – making it easier the next morning to dress and start your day. Patients also receive a complimentary continental breakfast in the hotel restaurant, as well as complimentary overnight parking in a secure, enclosed garage.

The PFCPMC Sleep Health Center is directed by Christopher R. Brown, MD, Board-Certified in sleep apnea, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. Focusing mainly on obstructive sleep apnea, the studies are conducted by a registered sleep technician – making sure that quality studies are not being sacrificed by the comfort of the environment. PFCPMC and CPMC work closely with one another as affiliates of Sutter Health delivering high quality care in San Francisco and Northern California.

Polysomnography

Polysomnography (sleep studies) has emerged as a valuable clinical tool. This technology may be applied to:

Snoring – An estimated 30 million adults snore. Snoring is sometimes, but not always, associated with a more serious sleep apnea disorder

Apnea – An estimated five of every 100 people have obstructive sleep apnea, which is the collapse of upper airway tissues that cause patients to stop breathing multiple times throughout sleep

Insomnia – More than 35 million Americans complain of chronic insomnia (poor sleep on a regular basis)

Periodic leg movement – This is a disorder characterized by leg movements at regular intervals while sleeping. The movements are enough to interrupt the sleep pattern – but not significant enough to awaken the patient

Narcolepsy – About one in 2,000 people suffer from narcolepsy, which is a genetic, chronic neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness

Indicators of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What are the indications for a sleep study in adults?

Excessive snoring associated with restless sleep, morning headaches, hypertension, mental confusion and/or obesity

Witnessed apnea

Poor work or social performance

Impotence

Night terrors

Sleep walking

Excessive daytime sleeping or difficulty falling asleep

Excessive leg movements during sleep and/or rest legs while awake

Treatment Options

Should the results of the study at the Sleep Health Center show the patient has sleep apnea, there are several effective and appropriate treatments, including:

Mechanical devices

Surgery

Behavioral modification

Medication

Light therapy