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.