Hospital to hold spring education programs

Marlborough - For anyone who's ever wondered why sleep can be as elusive as fame and fortune, the first program in Marlborough Hospital's spring community education program will off er some facts.

"Some 40 million [people] have sleep disorders, and yet 95 percent are undiagnosed," said Cindy Dors- ey, director of behavioral sleep medicine at Sleep HealthCenters. "It's a big societal issue as well as a public health issue."

Dorsey, a psychologist, will present "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sleep But Were Too Tired to Ask" Monday March 3 at Marlborough Hospital's Leahy Conference Center, 157 Union St. The free program will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Sleep problems have become such an issue that there is even a National Sleep Awareness Week, March 3 through 9.

"Thirty percent of the population suff ers from insomnia in a given year," Dorsey said, "and 10 percent have chronic insomnia."

Her emphasis is on behavioral changes people can take to improve sleep, from keeping a sleep journal to relaxation techniques.

"My ultimate purpose is to give people more control over their sleep," Dorsey said. "It's skill. It's a process, like learning an exercise program."

In her talk, Dorsey will give an overview of sleep and describe normal and abnormal sleep behaviors. She'll also give guidelines on when to see a doctor about a sleep problem.

To register for Dorsey's program, call 508-486-5805.

More community education programs

A list of the other community education programs follows. All the events are free and will take place in the Leahy Conference Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call 508-486-5805.

"Restoring Continence and Confidence in Women" will take place Tuesday March 4. Dr. Bhalchandra Parulkar, a urologist with Marlborough Hospital, will discuss treatment options for women with stress urinary incontinence, which occurs during physical activities, such as lifting, exercising, sneezing or coughing.

On Tuesday March 18, Parulkar will offer "Understanding Prostate Health," discussing men's health conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction. He will also talk about the causes, testing and available treatment options, from medications to minimally invasive procedures to surgery.

Dr. Angela Restrepo, an endocrinologist at Marlborough Hospital, will present "Diabetes: Lowering Your Risk" Tuesday March 25. She will explain what cardio metabolic syndrome is and its role as a risk factor in developing diabetes. Restrepo will also discuss the importance lifestyle plays in decreasing the risk of diabetes and simple steps to take charge of diabetes.

On Tuesday April 8, Dr. Markian Stecyk, an orthopedist with Orthopaedic Associates of Marlborough and chief of surgery at Marlborough Hospital, will discuss "Treatment Choices for the Arthritic Knee." He will talk about the current treatment options, including partial and total knee replacements.

In "Living with Heart Failure," presented Monday May 5, Dr. Eric Nelson, a staff cardiologist at Marlborough Hospital, will explain what heart failure is and its eff ects. He will also discuss how the patient can take an active role in managing symptoms. There will also be a practical discussion about diet.