Diagnostic of Irritable Bowel Syndrome… Calprotectin Test

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK, strongly advises GPs to carry out this test, as it would avoid other more invasive tests to be carried out such as colonoscopies, when there is no need to for it.

A faecal sample used in this test would enable a diagnostic of an inflammatory bowel disease to take place (such as Ulcerative colitis or Chron disease) discarding the presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which would facilitate an early diagnose of both of these illness and give way to a more effective treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is an intestinal alteration of unknown origin that affects millions of people in the world, usually young people between the ages of 20 and 30 and whose main symptoms would be:

• Abdominal pain.
• A feeling of fullness after meals.
• Diahorreas that alternate with constipation.
• A change in the frequency and consistency of faeces.
• Flatulency or an increase in intestinal gas.
• Abdominal distension (A feeling of having eaten too much, when it is not the case).
• Rectal tenesmus or pain at the end of defecation, as well as a feeling of not finishing yet.
• Mucous in faeces.
• Others.

The treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms and taking preventative measures such as:

• Avoiding particular foods that not tolerated by the patient.
• Avoiding stimulating drinks.
• Not smoking.
• Cognitive therapy to alleviate stress and depression.
• Antispasmodics for abdominal pains.

In conclusion, the Calprotectin Test aids GPs in differentiating between inflammatory illnesses, which would produce a positive result, and irritable bowel syndrome, which would produce a negative result in the test.

The healthcare system would generate immense savings that could be invested in the public healthcare system and in turn would generate more preventative measures, research opportunities and a chance to develop new treatments.

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus

New advances in the diagnostic of cardiac disorders

New images of the heart through MRI scan and developed by the companies GE Healthcare and Arterys.

This new technology displays the heartbeat in 3D and from any angle.

It aids in differentiating between scarred and healthy tissue as well as measuring accurately the speed and the flow of blood through a variety of colours.

It will help to diagnose cardiac disorder with more precision.

Nuevos avances en el diagnostico de las patologías cardiacas

Ultimas imágenes del corazón a través de resonancia magnética y desarrollada por las compañías GE Healthcare y Arterys.

Esta nueva tecnología permite la visualización del latido cardíaco en 3D desde cualquier ángulo.

Ayuda a diferenciar los tejidos cicatrizados de los sanos, a la misma vez que mide con exactitud el flujo y velocidad de la sangre a través de diferentes colores.
Ayudará a diagnosticar las patologías cardiacas con mayor exactitud.

‘Trans Fats’, the most harmful type of fats

‘Trans Fat’ is produced through hydrogenation, which is the process whereby hydrogen is added to liquid fat, solidifying it in order to give food the maximum durability possible.

‘Trans fat’ is named ‘the hidden fat’ as many countries do not inform consumers of its presence within their food labels however, the USA has prohibited its use of ‘Trans Fat’ in a number of states, with the remaining states planning to follow their footstep in the coming years.

‘Trans Fats’ can be found in the majority of products that have a long shelf life such as:

• Margarine
• Precooked meals.
• Biscuits/Cookies.
• Industrial Pastries.
• Soups and ready-made sauces.
• Microwave Popcorn.
• Doughnuts.
• Crisps.
• Reused vegetable oil.
• Etc.

Customers are informed of the presence of ‘Trans Fats’ through a label that says ‘contains partly Hydrogenated Fat’ however, the biggest issue occurs when food companies do not place this warning, as they are not required to do by health laws in a large number of countries.

What damaging effects does ‘Trans Fat’ cause to your health?

• It increases cholesterol levels, especially LDL Cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
• It increases the number of triglycerides.
• It decreases the levels of HDL Cholesterol (good cholesterol).
• It increases the risk of cardiovascular accidents (heart attacks, stroke).
• It increases the risk of diabetes.
• It contributes to the development of dementia due to an increase in inflammatory cerebral processes.

‘Trans Fats’ can be easily replaced by healthy foods and would aid in the development of a healthier population. This should be the aim of governments and the food industry.

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus

Cholesterol and Blood Clot Removal Systems

Sistemas de Remoción de Coágulos y Colesterol

Tacking Care Of Children. Enterovirus.

What is the Enterovirus?

The Enterovirus is a type of virus that has mild symptoms most of the time and has been causing outbreaks for over 40 years.

Who are the most affected by this virus?

Children under the age of 6 are the most affected by this virus, eventhough it can affect all ages. This illness can also affect adults although; it is much easier for them to overcome, as their immune system is much stronger than that of children.

Patients heal without any scars in 90% of cases.

How is it transmitted?

The illness is transmitted through the saliva and nasal mucus as the virus is lodged in the mucosa membranes, or through surfaces that have already been contaminated by carriers of this virus.

Where is it mostly transmitted?

Schools, nurseries and at home as well as places where there is a cluster of people.

What are the symptoms?

The most frequent symptoms are:

• Fever.
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting.
• Respiratory Diseases.

However, the Enterovirus that are causing severe problems in Cataluña, Spain that have been named D68 and D71 and that have already affected a large number of children, are due to an outbreak that has been active since February, and that can produce tremors, convulsions, weakness, impaired balance, sensory disturbances, difficulty in speaking and eating, etc.

All of these symptoms are due to the encephalitis that is caused by the virus.

These outbreaks have already been detected in USA and other countries in Asia apart from Spain.

What is the treatment?

There is no current treatment for this virus however, China is developing a vaccine that is pending approval, and so you can only take preventive measures

that should be rigorously adhered to.

What are the preventive measures to be taken?

• Wash your hands rigorously, which should already be done all the times that is needed.
• Cover your mouth with your arm when you are coughing or sneezing.
• Disinfect all the surfaces that are touched by carriers or sufferers of the virus.
• And above all, if children have a fever of more than 37,5 do not take them to school or nursery and go to your GP.

Lastly, I want make an appeal to all of the churches in England, where the congregation drink from the chalice during the celebration of mass, and make them aware of the source of infection that that is.   

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus