Preparing for a Commonwealth Diagnostics International Breathing Test

Craig Strasnick is a medical testing executive who leads Commonwealth Diagnostics International (CDI), a provider of multidisciplinary breath test products. The hydrogen and methane breath tests Craig Strasnick and his team have developed can be self-administered at home and operate on the fundamental principle that the presence of certain trace gases in breath indicate the presence of unwanted bacteria in the small intestine.

Patients taking the CDI tests at home or in a physician’s office prepare beforehand with a 12-hour preparatory diet period that includes only ingesting specific broiled or baked meats, plain white rice, and eggs. Minimal spices and cooking oils are used, and the only allowed drinks are water, plain coffee, and tea. 

This preparatory diet is followed by a 12-hour fast, during which only water is consumed. In addition, there should be no smoking during the 24 hours leading up to the test and no sleep or exercise for at least an hour prior to the test. Antibiotics should be discontinued at least a month prior to the test and laxatives a week before the test. 

These restrictions allow an optimal baseline sample to be collected prior to ingesting the provided substrate and taking regular breath samples throughout the testing period.

Commonwealth Diagnostics International Contributes to Clinical Research

Craig Strasnick received his bachelor of science in business administration from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and has facilitated the development of numerous medical testing products offered on international and domestic markets. As the president and CEO of Salem, Massachusetts based Commonwealth Diagnostics International, Craig Strasnick guides the organization in its diverse operations, one of which is supporting clinical research. 

Commonwealth Diagnostics International participates in diverse research and development initiatives associated with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of functional gastrointestinal disorders. With a sophisticated laboratory in Salem, Massachusetts, and experience in managing diagnostic methods and clinical trials, the company has partnered with various sponsors and taken part in numerous research studies. 

The lab management team at Commonwealth Diagnostics International provides expertise in formulating analytical protocols and methods uniquely designed for clinical trials and can meet regulatory requirements while accommodating studies ranging from small to large-scale. The laboratory staff at Commonwealth Diagnostics International have successfully worked with pharmaceutical sponsors, principal investigators, and contract research organizations, and have also facilitated Phase II and III clinical trials.

IBSchek Is Based on Life-Changing Medical Research

Craig Strasnick, president and CEO of Commonwealth Diagnostics International, founded the Massachusetts-based company with his father, Dr. Brian Strasnick, in 2015. He previously served as chief operating officer of the related company Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. Craig Strasnick and his team continue to lead in the field of gastroenterological diagnostic services, in collaboration with a range of top-flight academic researchers and other businesses.

Among CDI’s recent innovations is the IBSchek system. This blood test assists doctors in the efficient and accurate diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and is based on pioneering work produced at the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Cedars’ GI Motility Program focuses on research into causes and treatments of common digestive tract problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, incontinence, and constipation. The program can offer patients and physicians a set of diagnostic and treatment options unsurpassed anywhere in the world. 

IBSchek represents a breakthrough in the GI medicine field. In the past, some physicians had considered IBS not an organic problem, but an emotional one. And this most frequent of GI conditions, which affects as many as 15 out of 100 American adults, was previously impossible to definitively diagnose. After eight years of research, the GI Motility Program determined that the most common toxin involved in food poisoning appeared to be the culprit in IBS as well, leading to the development of IBSchek.

Craig Strasnick

Craig Strasnick, Entrepreneur

Craig Strasnick Interview - IBSChek

Craig Strasnick, Former COO of Commonwealth Laboratories

Craig Strasnick's Office

ABTA’s Brain Tumor Support Group Facilitator Training Program

Commonwealth Diagnostics International president and CEO, Craig Strasnick, founded the company in 2015 and leads its efforts to develop diagnostic tools for functional gastrointestinal conditions. Beyond his responsibilities to the Massachusetts-based company, Craig Strasnick supports the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). ABTA’s resources for health professionals include the Brain Tumor Support Group Facilitator Training Program. 

The newly launched training program enables caregivers and healthcare providers to meet the needs and challenges unique to patients with brain tumors through specialized training and resources. A reflection of ABTA’s commitment to partnering with health care professionals and volunteers nationwide, the program ensures the availability of supportive services and resources for brain tumor treatment and care. 

A team of highly-credentialed authorities lent their skills to the program’s development by choosing to focus on evidence-based practices. Training is delivered through an online platform that separates content into four courses that focus on treatment side effects, neuropsychological issues, coping strategies for caregivers, and the basics of organizing and facilitating brain tumor support groups. 

Offered at no charge, the course also provides continuing educational units for health professionals with a clinical background.