SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — A local healthcare provider will be offering several classes next month.

Spectrum Health Lakeland will be hosting many classes in March to improve the lives of their patients, said officials. Classes include:

• Learn to live well with heart failure — Spectrum Health Lakeland will offer “Living Well with Heart Failure,” a free class for community members about congestive heart failure, a chronic condition characterized by the heart’s inability to meet the blood flow needs of the body. The program will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 5 in Classroom B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive.

Participants will learn to identify common causes and symptoms of heart failure, as well as new daily routines that can dramatically improve one’s quality of life. Preregistration for the class is required. To register, all (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544. For more information, visit lakelandhealth.org or find Lakeland Health on Facebook or Twitter for more classes and events.

• Bones in Balance classes to helps individuals with osteoporosis — Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian and nurse educator.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from March 5 to 28 and be hosted from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, over 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45, according to Lakeland officials. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to your insurance. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-7150.

• Bariatric surgeons to discuss weight loss options — The Lakeland Weight Loss Center is offering a series of free seminars titled, “Lose Weight … Find Health.” The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, March 6 in the Community Room at Caring Circle, located at 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph. A second seminar will be held on Wednesday, March 20 in the Community Conference Room at Lakeland Medical Suites, located at 41 N. St. Joseph Ave., Niles. Both seminars will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Bariatric surgeons Michael Schuhknecht, DO, and Seth Miller, MD, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan, including medical weight loss management through diet or bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, the good news is that losing as little as 5-15% of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses, and can even eliminate your need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events  or call (269) 927-5361.

• Free pre-diabetes class in Watervliet — Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 7 in Classroom B at Lakeland Hospital Watervliet, located at 400 Medical Park Drive.

During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help you maintain health and manage weight.

This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-2868.

• Counselors to discuss non-drug approaches to chronic pain — Community members are invited to join counselors, Rich Watson, LPC, LLP, and Kris Petlick, LLP, for a free educational seminar titled, “Understanding Chronic Pain Signals and How to Cope.”

The seminar will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14 in the Conference Center at Lakeland at Meadowbrook, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road, Benton Harbor. During the seminar, counselors will discuss non-drug approaches to managing chronic pain and how a change in mindset can help people experience renewed life and improved mobility.

“If your pain has lasted longer than three months or isn’t healing as expected, you may be experiencing chronic pain,” said Petlick. “Caused by an injury, or as the result of a number of disorders, chronic pain can be challenging to control and has serious effects on a person’s quality of life. Medication alone does not always provide the relief we seek.”

Preregistration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call (269) 927-5361 or visit swmc.org/chronicpain.

• Free wellness event in Benton Harbor — Community members are invited to attend an upcoming Neighborhood Centered Health Home event from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at Elite Barbershop, located at 1301 Pipestone Road, Benton Harbor.

Free blood pressure screenings will be offered during the event. A nurse and clinical educator will be on-site for personal health coaching sessions. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to meet with a Lakeland resident physician and participate in discussion about key medical topics. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call (269) 556-2874.

• Free youth mental health first aid courses offered — Community members are invited to attend a free youth mental health first aid training course on from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15 at the Consortium for Community Development, located at 175 W. Main St., Benton Harbor.

The course is designed for adults who regularly interact with adolescents and teaches participants how to assist young people experiencing a mental health crisis until appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. Training reviews typical adolescent development, teaches a five-step action plan to help young people in crisis, and helps participants understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

A training manual and certification is provided upon completion. Preregistration is required; call (269) 556-2808 or (866) 260-7544.

• Vein specialist to discuss treatment for varicose veins — Community members are invited to join vein specialist, Glen Hastings, MD, FACS, for a free educational seminar titled, “Rid Yourself of the Look and Feel of Varicose Veins.” The seminar will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Baymont Inn and Suites, located at 555 Phoenix St., South Haven. During the seminar, Dr. Hastings will discuss the causes and symptoms of spider and varicose veins as well as the best options for treatment.

“If your legs feel tired, heavy, or achy — especially at night — you may be one of the many people who suffer the painful effects of varicose veins,” said Dr. Hastings. “The condition affects both men and women and isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Fortunately, there are safe, virtually painless treatment options to consider.”

Preregistration is encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call (269) 927-5361 or visit lakelandhealth.org/veinseminar.