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Drug tests

New psychoactive substances do not have a precise composition and their purity is unknown, so it is impossible to predict their effects on the body and potential harm to health. Often, drugs also cause increased libido and strong sexual liberation, which is a characteristic effect of some substances.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to data for 2024, the incidence rate increased by almost 6%.

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For the first time in Kazakhstan: automatic molecular allergy diagnosis using reflex testing

A unique innovative service is now available at OLYMP CDL: automatic molecular allergy testing using reflex diagnostics. This is the first and only service of this level in Kazakhstan, allowing for the most accurate and safe identification of sensitisation to key allergens and their molecules - without additional visits, repeated tests and unnecessary costs. What is reflex diagnostics? Reflex diagnostics is an automatically expandable analysis in which the second stage of analysis is triggered only in the presence of clinically significant sensitisation. Example: if specific IgE to wormwood pollen is detected in a patient's blood, the laboratory automatically determines the molecular components of wormwood (e.g., nArt v 1, nArt v 3) within a single order. This allows: to distinguish true allergy from cross-allergy to predict the severity of the reaction to accurately select therapy (including ASIT) and diet If no reaction to the main allergen is detected, the molecular stage is not performed. For which allergens is the service available? Currently, the method is available for the following allergens and their components: Cow's milk + allergenic components (insert links to studies) Chicken egg + allergenic components (insert links to studies) Birch + allergenic components (insert links to studies) Timothy grass + allergenic components (insert links to studies) Common wormwood + allergenic components (insert links to studies) Advantages of reflex testing in allergology: Personalised approach to diagnosis. Safety and convenience, as everything is determined within a single test tube, without the patient having to return to the laboratory. Helps the doctor to accurately select the treatment strategy, including ASIT. Saves time and money: the patient does not need to order molecular tests separately. Why ImmunoCAP? All studies are conducted using ImmunoCAP technology (Sweden) - the international "gold standard" for allergy diagnosis, which ensures: High accuracy even at low IgE levels Can be performed at any age Convenience, as it does not require discontinuation of antihistamines Reflex diagnostics effectively increases the clinical significance of laboratory tests and speeds up diagnosis. The service is available at OLYMP CDL biomaterial sampling clauses throughout the country.

Stroke: Who is at risk and how can you protect yourself?

Stroke is one of the most serious complications of cardiovascular disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 12 million cases of stroke are recorded worldwide each year, and about half of them are fatal or lead to disability. At the same time, experts note that up to 80% of strokes can be prevented if predisposing factors are diagnosed in a timely manner. Why does a stroke occur? A stroke is characterised by an acute disruption of blood flow in the brain. But the biggest misconception is that a stroke happens unexpectedly. In fact, a vascular catastrophe is the result of a long-term pathological process that can develop over years. A number of factors influence the likelihood of developing a stroke: arterial hypertension diabetes mellitus metabolic syndrome chronic inflammation high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) increased blood clotting genetic predisposition (e.g., high levels of lipoprotein (a) or homocysteine) smoking, sedentary lifestyle, excess weight The problem is that these conditions can be asymptomatic, remaining unnoticed until a critical moment. How to identify stroke risk? Modern laboratory diagnostics allow determining the main biomarkers of vascular risk, even if a person feels healthy. For this purpose, the OLYMP CDL has developed specialised laboratory panels called "Stroke Risk" - tests adapted to different clinical situations. Stroke Risk, Basic Panel Designed for initial screening. Includes: Complete blood count (CBC) Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL Atherogenic index Non-HDL cholesterol and remnant cholesterol Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) C-reactive protein (high sensitivity, CRP cardio) Indicated for high blood pressure, excess weight, and hereditary predisposition. "Complete stroke risk" panel Extended examination with test of the coagulation system and metabolic disorders: All tests from the basic panel Triglycerides Homocysteine Coagulogram (fibrinogen, APTT, PT, DFX, PTI, INR) Recommended for diabetes mellitus, preparation for surgery, hormone therapy. Stroke Risk, Extended Panel Optimal coverage of risk factors, including thrombosis and genetic markers: All tests from the complete panel D-dimer Lipoprotein (a) Recommended for patients who have had a stroke, TIA, thrombophilia, or high cardiovascular risk. Taking care of your health starts with understanding your risks. Modern laboratory diagnostics allow us to see hidden threats before they lead to disease. After all, preventing disease is much easier than dealing with its consequences