ON THE ROAD TO HEALTH

Healthy mind in healthy body: since the dawn of humanity health has inevitably been connected with happy life. It is something that people constantly aim to achieve, trying to preserve it will all means possible. However, never before humanity has had the resources and the abilities to take care of its health that we have at our disposal today.

More and more people in the developed world choose healthy lifestyle. Carefully thought-over dietary plans, sport, activities: the modern man and woman search for and find in these a path to health and longevity. This personal choice is backed up by the global efforts for improvement of the health status of the overall population: vaccinations, elimination and control of epidemic outbreaks, prevention and early diagnosis of a number of diseases.

But even the most religiously applied dietary and sport regime does not guarantee that one wouldn't end up at the doctor's office, and for something more than a regular check up. The good news is that modern medicine is developing with a high speed and has achieved success that until only half a century ago would have sounded like science fiction.

This process is the result of the development of theoretical and applied science, put in motion by large scale state and private investments. Thanks to this today we, for example, can be DNA analysed for congenital diseases. Among the latest novelties in this f ield is the opportunity to analyse a baby after its birth for genes of 193 congenital diseases like anaemia, epilepsy and metabolic disorders. This innovation is an addition to another major breakthrough: the reliable early diagnosis of foetuses for conditions like the Dawn syndrome.

The list of contemporary innovations includes as well the targeted therapies in cancer treatment, a part of molecular medicine. In these the drug's molecules are targeted directly towards the tumours, thus increasing the treatment effect in comparison with traditional chemotherapy. In the list should be included as well the development of implantology and transplantations. New materials, technologies, software and engineering make possible the replacement of teeth, joints, limbs, organs and even something as delicate and individual as the human face.

Non-invasive and minimally invasive methods also find a wider application in modern diagnosis and treatment. Thanks to them the trauma is lesser or non-existent, the procedure is pain-free and recovery is faster with lesser risk of complications. In non-invasive diagnostic methods like dermatoscopy, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis is more precise. Minimally invasive surgical methods such as endoscopies, laparoscopies and arthroscopies allow for reliable diagnosis and effective and sparing treatment "in depth."

Laser treatment is another field with impressive development. Its application has been widening by the day, from tumour treatment to dermatology to dentistry.

Dermatology and aesthetic medicine are among the fields in medicine most significantly influenced by the development of modern technologies and innovations. Thanks to those treatment is faster, pain-free and more efficient. Founded in 2013 by three established dermatologists, EuroDerma Clinic (Sofia, 4 P. Slaveykov Blvd, phone: 0700 20 017, www.euroderma-clinic.com) is among the best in Bulgaria. The clinic's team works with the most renowned equipment such as ALMA laser for capillaries removal, nail treatment, nonsurgical facelifting, pigmentation and tattoo removal, epilation, and CO2 laser for surgeries and treatment of scars and stretch marks. The clinic is also equipped with Derma Shine for pin mesotherapy for each part of the body, GUNA phoresis for needle-free collagen mesotherapy, Dinamify for lesions digital dermatoscopy and VENUS VIVA – multipolar radio frequency and options for fraxel and lipolysis. In accordance with the rules of good clinical practice all procedures are performed by licensed dermatologists with the respective certificate.

Modern means of communication and the development of new media and IT technologies have penetrated contemporary medicine as well. Digitalisation of diagnosis and information, and their exchange between laboratories, doctors and patients is increasingly being used in practice.

Digitalisation is being increasingly used in dentistry, too. It is able to cover the whole treatment process: scanning, data processing with special software into a project for complete future rehabilitation. The whole information is sent to a laboratory where the project and the models are 3D-printed and cut with CAD-CAM machine. Dr Marian Granchev from MG Dental Clinic (Sofia, Mladost 1, block 143, phone: 02 477 46 59, www.mgdentalclinic.com) is aware of the advantages of new technologies for patients. He and his team constantly learn new skills and knowledge, and in the clinic are implemented the most advanced technologies and methods for treatment, aesthetic dentistry, implantology, endodonty, periodontology. Special microscope is used for precise treatment. The individual DSD project allows the making of a precise project for completely new smile. In surgical procedures are used an ultrasound apparatus and thrombocyte enriched own blood plasma that reduce the recovery time and danger of complications. A digital radiograph for sector images and digitalising scanner provide precise imaging, while sparing the patient. This combination of experience and innovation guarantees to the patients that they will receive quality dental treatment.

Pain, restricted mobility and deformation are the inevitable consequence of our sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and excess weight. Thankfully, Mediva Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (Sofia, 33 Jawaharlal Nehru Blvd, phones: 02 925 00 16, 02 824 47 54, www.spinal.medivabg.com) has introduced in Bulgaria an internationally recognized method for computerized treatment of most problems of the spine. The DAVID methodology was developed more than 20 years ago by established Finnish and German scientists from the University of Cologne. It includes treatment on six specialized medical devices which strengthen the spine's deep muscles and improve the elasticity of the intervertebral discs. Thus, the pain goes away and the spine's strength is improved. Each DAVID training session is custom tailored based on an individual plan in accordance with the specificities of each patient, and is conducted under the supervision of a therapist and a specialized software. The initial results are visible even after a few visits, and for optimal results 24 trainings are recommended. Unlike training with ordinary fitness equipment, the DAVID trainings are sparing, safe and with lasting effect.

Care for children's health is among the priorities of contemporary medicine. Thanks to the systematic efforts of specialists and the international community children mortality rate has decreased from 62 in 100,000 in 1950-1955 to 43 in 100,000 in 2010-2015, according to UN data. Contemporary medicine goes a step further, providing highly specialised paediatric care.

Еvery parent knows that taking care of their child’s health is a heavy task. Sometimes diseases struck suddenly and the dynamic of the disease process is so active that the child's condition can change in minutes. Prevention and adequate care in the early stages of the disease are of immense importance for successful treatment. VelaClinic 24/7 Pediatric Clinic (Plovdiv, 2 Lyuben Karavelov st, 2nd Floor, Sofia, Lozenets, 8 Lale St, FB: velaclinic, www.velaclinic.com) steps on this principle in its work. The clinic has developed its own successful system that has been running smoothly for 18 years now. VelaClinic works on a subscription plan system, providing every member with an unlimited 24/7 access to the all three of the clinics and its services. The clinic has its own system of electronic records and a system of standard operative procedures that improve the treatment's effectiveness. Recently VelaClinic created an internal Clinical Laboratory and a modern fully-equipped Day Care Unit. Thus every patient could receive constant supervised care and further checkups. In fact, there is an extremely low percentage of hospitalization among their patients.

Timely and effective treatment is impossible without timely and quality diagnosis. Modern medical laboratories work with the latest generation of technologies for microbiological, chemical, haematological, genetic and reproductive analysis, as well as for diagnostic imaging. In the past few years in Bulgaria have appeared developed networks of private laboratories. In their work they follow common protocols and high standards, and use the most advanced technology.

Rusev Laboratories (www.mdlrusev.com) are among the leaders in the field of reliable, high-technology diagnostic imaging. For more than 15 years their network has been covering all major cities in Bulgaria, providing patients with access to health services of a world level. Rusev Laboratories work with both conventional technologies and the most advanced methods for magnetic resonance tomography and computer tomography by the German leader Siemens Healthineers. The laboratories are the only ones in the country using a shared system for image archiving and data transfer in the international PACS platform by Syngo Plaza, a world leader in diagnostic imaging. Thanks to this the laboratories perform a constant exchange and storage of data, which is a guarantee for optimal precision of the diagnosis. Rusev Laboratories work not only with the best available technology, but also with the best specialists in the field of diagnostic imaging in Bulgaria.

Innovations in medical treatment and diagnosis are successfully penetrating in Bulgaria, quickly finding a way in the most ambitious hospitals, clinics, practices. Here an important details needs clarification: without an excellently trained physician, dentist, lab technician, even the most technologically advanced treatment would not succeed.

Bulgaria is not only a country where the latest medical innovations are being implemented. The country has its own contribution in the development of contemporary medicine. Its best physicians and specialists strive to be in line with the trends in their fields, and work on their own scientific research. Bulgarian companies, for their part, invest in development of medical technologies.

For a quarter of a century now the Bulgarian company AMET Ltd. (Sofia, 177 Evropa Blvd, www.amet-bg.com) has been developing and manufacturing world-class quality electrosurgical equipment in use in hospitals and clinics across Europe, Asia and South America. The high-frequency interstitial therapy device АМЕТОМ HFiT-T is an alternative method for cancer and metastases treatment in liver and other soft tissues. Focused on minimally invasive procedures, АМЕТОМ200 is a complex high-frequency electrosurgical generator for application in all fields of surgery and microsurgery, particularly in monopolar and bipolar urology, laparoscopic surgery and ligation of blood vessels. Thanks to its high 4.0 MHz frequency, AMETOM HRF 100 achieves reduction of damage in the healthy tissues surrounding the treated zone, reduces the post-operative discomfort and accelerates recovery.

In Bulgaria are also manufactured the comfortable bed systems PR Beds (Sofia, 131 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, АТМ Center, www.rpbed.com). The automised beds with system for adjustment of the back and legs positions are an excellent solution for hotels, sanatoria and everyone who wants tranquil, healing sleep for themselves and for their family. The beds' frames are stable, while the electric motors are quiet, providing you with complete relaxation.

Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of thousands of specialists in Bulgaria and around the world today we enjoy better health and quality and timely medical care.