You At Your Best

David l. black, M.D. David L. Black, M.D. is a 1984 graduate of the University of Kansas Medical School in Kansas City, Kansas, with a subsequent residency at the University of Kansas. He was certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in 1991 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. After beginning private practice in 1989 in Hutchison, Kansas, Dr. Black moved to Joplin in 1991, operating as a single practitioner. In January, 1995 he was a founding partner of Midwest Orthopaedic Surgery, Inc. Dr. Black joined Freeman Health System in 2008. He specializes in total joint replacement and arthroscopic surgery. He is licensed to practice orthopaedic medicine in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. A strong commitment to and participation in the educational and administrative roles involving healthcare in the four-state area has always been a part of Dr. Black's practice. He has been involved in developing and implementing the joint replacement programs which insure patients receive top quality care and the best outcomes possible. These programs have received national recognition. A native of Arma, Kansas and a graduate of Pittsburg State University, Dr. Black, along with his family, will always consider the four-state area home. Freeman HealTH sysTem PhysicianProFiLe: sPoNsor CoNteNt By KAreN riCe NWA DeMoCrAt-gAzette Routine doctor visits are a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Yet, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, even excluding pregnancy- related visits, women were 33 percent more likely than men to visit a doctor. The rate of doctor visits for such reasons as annual examinations and preventive services was 100 percent higher for women than for men. As noted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, even men who feel healthy and live active lifestyles must make routine visits to their healthcare providers. Such visits can assess risk for future medical problems and offer men the opportunity to update vaccinations. Routine health checkups also give doctors a chance to screen for medical issues. Doctors consider a man's age and other risk factors to determine when and how frequently he will need certain medical screenings. For example, while men between the ages of 40 and 64 are often advised to get blood pressure screenings at least once per year, those with diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, and other conditions may need more frequent screenings. No two men have the same medical histories, which only highlights the need for men of all ages to schedule annual physical exams with their physicians. Such exams can reveal potential problems and also make for great opportunities to discuss more specific medical screenings with their physicians. The following are some general screening tests and guidelines recommended for all men between the ages of 40 and 64. Prostate cancer The USNLM notes that most men age 50 or older should discuss screening for prostate cancer with their physicians. Ethnicity and family history are some of the recognized risk factors for prostate cancer. As a result, African American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer in a first degree relative younger than 65 should discuss screenings beginning at age 45. There are pros and cons to prostate cancer screenings, and these should be part of men's discussions with their physicians. Colorectal cancer All men between the ages of 50 and 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer. Physicians may recommend colorectal screening for men under age 50 with a family history of colon cancer or polyps. In addition, physicians may consider screenings for men under 50 who have a history of inflammatory bowel disease. Cholesterol The USNLM advises men to have their cholesterol levels checked every five years. Men with certain conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, may need to be checked more often. Diabetes Diabetes screenings are recommended every three years for men age 45 and older. Men who are overweight and younger than 45 should ask their physicians if they should be screened before they reach 45. Osteoporosis Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, but that doesn't mean men are immune to this condition marked by a weakening of the bones due to tissue loss. Fractures after age 50, heavy alcohol use, smoking, and low body weight are some risk factors that can make men vulnerable to osteoporosis. Health screenings can catch diseases and other conditions in their early stages when they're most treatable. Such screenings should be a vital part of men's health routines. Important health screenings for men Health screenings can catch diseases and other conditions in their early stages when they're most treatable. SATURdAY, JUlY 27, 2019 | AUgUST - mEn'S HEAlTH nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 7

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