The Idyllwild Library, in partnership with Fern Creek Medical Center, is sponsoring a series of lectures about chronic health conditions. To be held at the library, the series began Tuesday, Jan. 17, with a lecture and presentation on chronic pain.

The next event in this free series is on Tuesday, March 21, with a presentation on oral health: what are the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy mouth, and how unhealthy gums can lead to other serious health issues. The presentation also will focus on how to prevent gum disease and what the treatment options are for gum disease. The presenter will be local dentist, Carol Ann Berg, D.D.S., Oakwood Dentistry.

For the balance of the series, a core group of presenters will work together to address the topic issues. They are Miles Thomas, M.S., L.Ac., owner and licensed acupuncturist and herbalist at Idyllwild Community Acupuncture; Ken Browning, D.O, medical director at Fern Creek Medical Center; Deborah Wondoloski, M.S.N, R.N, C.C.R.N and S.C.R.N., nurse practitioner at Fern Creek Medical Center; Jodi Sutherland, lifestyle educator at Fern Creek Medical Center; Barry Shapiro, R.Ph., pharmacist and owner of Idyllwild Pharmacy; Rev. Maureen McElligott, assistant minister, Hemet Center for Spiritual Living and chaplain intern at Loma Linda University Medical Center; and Monique Zander, meditation group leader and teacher.

On Tuesday, May 16, the series continues with a lecture on high blood sugar and conditions of diabetes and obesity. Three areas will be covered: why obesity is a disease of inflammation; why dieting is not the curative option; and how restorative sleep is related to obesity and diabetes.

The fourth presentation in the series takes place Tuesday, Sept. 19, and targets high blood pressure. Topics examined at the lecture include: what is the optimal blood pressure; why high blood pressure is a threatening silent killer; and what are the ways, other than conventional drugs, to control high blood pressure.

The last presentation in the series takes place Tuesday, Oct. 17, and considers chronic fatigue and its relation to a thyroid-hormone connection. The talk will address: a condition called “brain fog”; why one wakes up tired and is exhausted at the end of the day; and why certain individuals have repeated weight gain, moodiness and hot flashes.

Chronic health conditions are known as the leading cause of disability and premature death in the United States. These conditions can progress to serious levels despite the use of traditional and conventional medical therapies. Presenters at the series will discuss medical approaches that combine both traditional and integrative medicine with multidisciplinary approaches to prevent chronic conditions and reverse existing ones.

Wondoloski is the series coordinator. She noted that “The Idyllwild Community Health Survey” will be available at Idyllwild Pharmacy and at Fern Creek Medical Center. These surveys can be filled out at the events or completed and returned to the Idyllwild Library, Idyllwild Pharmacy or Fern Creek Medical Center. The anonymous health assessment survey asks what wellness practices and lifestyle approaches are desired within the Idyllwild community.

All lectures in this free series take place from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Idyllwild Library Community Room.

This is the first of what is planned as an annual series.