Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) is sponsoring the Take Note Sedona Library Lecture Series. The Thursday, Jan. 19 lecture, Diabetes and Sleep Apnea, is the first of three lectures on sleep apnea and related conditions. The lecture will feature Donald Curran, D.O., and Brenda Howland, M.D. The lecture begins at 5 p.m. at the Sedona Library, 3250 White Bear Rd., Sedona. To R.S.V.P. or for more information on this free event, call 928 639-6551.

Drs. Curran and Howland will discuss the connection between diabetes and sleep apnea and the importance of being diagnosed for both of these conditions.

The immediate result of untreated sleep apnea is constant fatigue. It can also lead to poor concentration, depression and lack of energy. Unless treated, it reduces insulin sensitivity and also can cause high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Curran is board-certified in sleep medicine, family medicine, geriatrics and psychiatry. Dr. Curran has been a member of the VVMC Medical Staff since 2004.

Dr. Howland, a board-certified internist, has been a member of the VVMC Medical Staff since 1998.

The Sleep Center at VVMC has four high-tech, comfortable sleep rooms that are available for sleep studies five nights each week. Types of sleep disorders that can be diagnosed in the Sleep Center include OSA (breathing stops during sleep), insomnia (difficulty staying asleep), narcolepsy (difficulty staying awake), periodic limb movement disorders or restless leg syndrome (involuntary movement of the legs or arms during sleep), and parasomnias such as sleep walking, sleep talking, teeth grinding and nightmares.

To learn more about the Sleep Center, visit VerdeValleyMedicalCenter.com/OurServices/SleepCenter or call 928 639-6382. For other programs and services offered at Verde Valley Medical Center, visit VerdeValleyMedicalCenter.com or call 928 634-2251. Become a friend of VVMC at Facebook.com; follow VVMC at Twitter.com.