Category Archives: News

all news
  • 04 Aug 2024
    940 views

    The big, fat cholesterol debate

    This is probably not the most “original” topic I have ever written about, but for the sake of public “health and safety”, it is one that should probably be revisited, especially considering the number of younger patients I have seen with elevated cholesterol levels. The first question that is always asked by these younger patients Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    947 views

    Restoring the true spirit of the family doctor

    In recent years, the mainstream media has portrayed GPs as harassed, harangued and over-worked individuals … often frustrated and tired, with little empathy or initiative to provide the best care for their patients. The bureaucratic, and in many ways restrictive national health systems, also appear to further fuel this growing divide between what patients expect Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    943 views

    Resolving to be resolute

    So here we go once again! 2024 … New year, new resolutions. Let me see a show of hands who made them? And who has managed to stick to them so far? Well, don’t feel alone or discouraged if your planned resolution efforts have significantly reduced by now. According to Medscape, a study of health Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    946 views

    The disease of “a thousand names” …

    Every century has had a name for it. Thomas Sydenham, in the 17th century, called it Muscular Rheumatism; in the 18th century, a new name emerged, Febricula, coined by Sir Richard Manningham; and in the 19th century, a more “medical” name was developed of Neuromyasthenia. In our century, each decade has had a name – M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    949 views

    Up in smoke…

    Smoking. A word, an action and a habit that has in recent years become the pariah of modern society, although smoking tobacco has not always been seen that way. From the millennia-old cultural custom of the sharing of a peace pipe, to the modern-day bleary-eyed, worse-for-wear sharing of a cigarette outside a club or bar, Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    938 views

    Vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin

    There has been a question which a large proportion of my patients have been asking with an ever-growing frequency, and that is “How can my vitamin D be low if I am living in such a sunny climate?” A bit of a conundrum, yes? After all, it is the vitamin that we get from the Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    922 views

    The story of life … and lemons

    We all know the phrase “when life throws you lemons, make lemonade”. But what if we don’t feel like making that lemonade? What if all we want to do is take that bag of lemons and beat the living daylights out of “life”, or better still, take that bag and barter it for that one Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    1,054 views

    Telemedicine – beyond the confinement of the pandemic

    In our current world of instant and endless access to multiple sources of medical information, it is easy to think that we can all self-diagnose our ailments through a simple ‘Dr Google’ search. But can we really? Can we really replace the clinical experience of a physician with a simple algorithm? Can we afford to Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2024
    984 views

    Dra. Lisa Buddrus

    Dra. Lisa Buddrus is a specialist in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, graduated at the University of Hamburg, with 15 years of experience and is part of the Luzdoc – International Medical Service team. Dr Lisas’s clinical activity focuses on “offering a holistic approach to orthopedic medicine with a focus on a thorough diagnosis and different Read More

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  • 20 Mar 2023
    8,598 views

    TO TOX OR NOT TO TOX … AND WHICH TOX IS RIGHT FOR ME?

    THE FULL LOWDOWN ON WRINKLE SMOOTHING TOXINS It has recently come to my attention that there is STILL a lot of misinformation regarding Botulinum Toxins being propagated by supposed “experts” in the field of aesthetics. Hence the decision to get the latest and up-to-date scientific-based evidence regarding what has been the most popular non-invasive cosmetic Read More

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  • 27 Feb 2023
    11,081 views

    Excellence and innovation in health services for over 40 years

    Luzdoc, in Praia da Luz, has existed for the past 43 years under the leadership and guidance of our founder, Dr Maria Alice, who has overseen the constant growth of this company. They have always strived to diversify and introduce innovative, up-to-date medical services that would be beneficial to their client’s health. With this philosophy Read More

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  • 31 Jan 2023
    2,249 views

    HEALTH INSURANCE

    Luzdoc is a private clinic and as such we work very closely with private medical insurance companies dealing in national, international, and travel insurance.There are various ways in which payment is made at Luzdoc: International and travel insurance including ex-pat, outpatient and day-care treatment is usually paid directly by the client to the clinic. A Read More

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  • 03 Jan 2023
    7,702 views

    Resistência Antimicrobiana… e NATAL!

    Os antimicrobianos que incluem antibióticos, antivirais, antifúngicos e antiparasíticos são medicamentos usados para prevenir e tratar infecções em humanos, outros animais e plantas. A resistência antimicrobiana acontece quando os germes, tais como bactérias e fungos, desenvolvem a capacidade de vencer os medicamentos adequados para os destruir e, como não morrem, continuam a desenvolver-se. A presença Read More

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  • 15 Dec 2022
    7,195 views

    IT IS CHRISTMAS… AGAIN

    It has arrived, once more. Unavoidable as always! Even without us noticing, it always comes, every year, every winter, impossible to stop it… but who would want to? To be realistic, even if it would be great, people and reality do not change just because it is Christmas. Christmas is traditionally seen as a magical Read More

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  • 04 Dec 2022
    3,704 views

    Antimicrobial resistance

    Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics, are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them and, as the germs are not killed, they continue to grow. As a consequence, there Read More

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  • 05 Jun 2022
    6,655 views

    ATTENTION IMPORTANT

    Consultations – Family Medicine Monday to Friday – 9am to 3pm Appointments and “Last Minute” Information / Appointments 282 788 217 – medilagos@luzdoc.com

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  • 23 Mar 2022
    3,038 views

    Reopening MEDILAGOS

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  • 16 Jan 2022
    3,509 views

    Cholesterol and Triglycerides

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  • 09 Nov 2021
    4,337 views

    More than Covid

    It is about time the World realised that life… and health… is more than Covid. And it depends on individual behavior. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the world in such a strong unexpected way, that everything will have to be rethought. It has had a severe impact on economy, society, psychology, education and on general health, Read More

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  • 24 Oct 2021
    6,180 views

    FLU VACCINE

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  • 22 Aug 2021
    8,986 views

    FREEDOM

    I have always believed that one person’s freedom ends where another’s begins. Freedom is not a one meaning word, there are several meanings but two are very important at this moment, political and social freedom: the freedom of the individual in relation to other people and to the state. Personal freedom actually ends where another’s safety begins. Safety Read More

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  • 18 Aug 2021
    4,456 views

    SCIATICA – WHAT TO DO?

    Most of us have experienced some form of back pain, and everyone will, at least once in their lifetime. Keeping active and mobile will allow for such symptoms to resolve naturally, over the course of a few weeks or months. But what if they don’t? For example, sciatica is pain, or an altered sensation, starting Read More

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  • 04 Aug 2021
    3,534 views

    MICRONEEDLING

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  • 18 Jul 2021
    3,686 views

    BOTOX OR FACIAL FILLER?

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  • 18 May 2021
    6,827 views

    COVID-19 TESTS

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  • 11 Apr 2021
    3,922 views

    Medilagos Clinic reopens on the 3rd of May

    After a long period of varying states of confinement, in which we concentrated all our health services at Luzdoc Clinic, in Praia da Luz, we feel, with a certain satisfaction, that the time has come to reopen the doors of Medilagos clinic, to reconnect with our clients in Lagos.

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  • 07 Mar 2021
    7,603 views

    The “In Between Time”

    We are living in a strange time, the “in between time”. This is the real “twilight zone”… This is the time after the “past normal time” and before the “future normal time” … whatever this will be! We remember how it was, but we cannot really figure out how it will become. For now, we Read More

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  • 24 Feb 2021
    3,893 views

    COVID-19 PCR

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  • 07 Feb 2021
    3,834 views

    COVID VACCINATION INFORMATION

    UPDATE National Health Service procedures, regarding vaccination against COVID-19 of the public treated by the private health sector, have now been updated leading to changes in our own internal protocols. Anyone meeting the inclusion criteria for Phase 1 of the COVID Vaccination Program will have to attend a presential medical consultation to ensure that the Read More

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  • 26 Jan 2021
    3,435 views

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION PATIENTS WHO ARE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE SYSTEM (SNS) BUT WHO USE THE PRIVATE MEDICAL SYSTEM FOR THEIR GENERAL CARE, CHECK-UPS AND TREATMENTS, MAY HAVE AILMENTS OR CHRONIC CONDITIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN PRIORITIZING PEOPLE FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINATION. AS THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PRIVATE AND STATE HELD DATABASES Read More

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  • 21 Jan 2021
    3,447 views

    COVID-19 – ATTENTION

    COVID-19 ATTENTION DIn response to the exacerbation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, Luzdoc is changing internal procedures for COVID-19 triage/testing, to include those who present with possible symptoms as well as any necessary pre-travel testing. For more detailed information please contact us on 282 780 700 or by email on info@luzdoc.com

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  • 14 Jan 2021
    3,196 views

    CORONAVIRUS UPDATE IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ THE LUZDOC/MEDILAGOS TEAM CONTINUES TO CLOSELY FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC. WE HAVE INSTITUTED SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF CONTAGION FOR OUR CLIENTS AND STAFF. NEW WORKING HOURS LUZDOC CLINIC LUZDOC REMAINS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. OUR OPENING TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS: DURING THE WEEK FROM Read More

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  • 03 Dec 2020
    3,833 views

    LUZDOC MEDICAL TEAM

    Dr. Nádia Brandford has left Luzdoc to work on a new project outside Portugal. We want to thank her for her professionalism and wish her success and personal achievement. We welcome Dr. Isa Rodrigues who will, from now on, be part of the Luzdoc medical team with Dr. Joanna Karamon, Dr. Inês Rodrigues and Dr. Read More

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  • 28 Oct 2020
    4,719 views

    INFORMATION

    INFORMATION provision of health services in suspected or diagnosed cases of infection by covid-19 Luzdoc would like to inform our clients that we are not a Covid-19 REFERRAL unit. However, we have specific protocols in place to guide our decision-making in suspected or positive cases for this infection: • All clients who come to Luzdoc Read More

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  • 11 Oct 2020
    6,767 views

    FLU VACCINATION in the times of Covid-19 Pandemic

    The prospect of a flu season during the coronavirus pandemic is frightening to health experts. What disease are you most concerned about catching this Autumn? Probably not the flu! More likely, COVID-19 is the worry on your mind. But the flu season is coming soon. In the northern and southern hemispheres, influenza outbreaks occur mainly Read More

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  • 05 Aug 2020
    3,710 views

    FLU IS NOT A COLD

    FLU IS NOT A COLD TYPICAL FLU SYMPTOMS: MALAISE, FEVER, COUGH PROTECT YOURSELF AND THE OTHERS AROUND YOU BE VACCINATED! Flu vaccines have few side effects, are effective and safe. Vaccination prevents disease, hospital admissions and death. It is possible to avert the effects of flu through vaccination EVERYONE SHOULD BE VACCINATED   IN PARTICULAR: Read More

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  • 16 Jun 2020
    6,604 views

    IMPORTANT NEWS – LUZDOC/MEDILAGOS

    IMPORTANT NEWS – LUZDOC/MEDILAGOS Aesthetic MedicineWE ARE BACK! These are extraordinary times we are living through, but we must adjust to a new “normal” with a new set of behavioral rules and health safety precautions. But we still want to help you to LOOK AND FEEL BETTER in the face of our current reality! With Read More

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  • 03 Jun 2020
    8,357 views

    Unlocking the lockdown

    Unlocking the lockdown The Covid19 pandemic has hit the world hard. In four months we have seen millions infected, thousands dying and the healthcare systems, even in the most developed countries, stretched to breaking point. It is now time to start considering how you will get people back into the workplace as many economies worldwide Read More

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  • 18 May 2020
    6,421 views

    COVID-19 – Quick Test

    COVID-19 Quick Test COVID-19 IgG/IgM Immunochromatographic Assay Tests Qualitative Antibody Detection Results within 10 minutes Available From the 15th of May For more information, please contact 282 780 700.  

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  • 28 Apr 2020
    5,158 views

    MASK USE REQUIRED

    MANDATORY MASK USE When you come to Luzdoc – International Medical Service, you must wear a surgical mask. If you don`t have yours, we have a mask available for you, which will be invoiced. Face mask is indispensable to access our services.

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  • 27 Apr 2020
    11,280 views

    COVID-19 TESTING

    THE LUZDOC TEAM HAS BEEN CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE PORTUGUESE DGS (GENERAL DIRECTION OF HEALTH) AND THE LEADING EPIDEMIOLOGISTS IN THEIRRECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE EVOLUTION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. LUZDOC IS NOW OFFERING COVID-19 TESTING WITH THE SUPPORT OF MEDICAL ADVICE FOR REQUESTING THE APPROPRIATE TESTS TO EACH INDIVIDUAL, INTERPRETING THE RESULTS AND ADVISING ON FOLLOW-UP PRESENTLY Read More

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  • 28 Mar 2020
    5,268 views

    Up-To-Date Health Services A continuous effort!

    Since 1981 Luzdoc has progressed into a tailor-made Family Medicine center, providing a comprehensive 24 Hours Health Care Service to the resident and the tourist populations of the Algarve, where patients are partners in their health care, well-being and health prevention. Luzdoc recognises the emergence of more discerning clients, better informed about their health issues Read More

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  • 17 Mar 2020
    17,212 views

    CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

    CORONAVIRUS UPDATE IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ THE LUZDOC/MEDILAGOS TEAM CONTINUES TO CLOSELY FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC. WE HAVE INSTITUTED SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF CONTAGION FOR OUR CLIENTS AND STAFF. NEW WORKING HOURS LUZDOC CLINIC LUZDOC REMAINS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. OUR OPENING TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS: DURING THE WEEK FROM Read More

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  • 03 Mar 2020
    7,077 views

    DISEASE OUTBREAKs

    Endemic, Epidemic, Pandemic The World is scared of the new coronavirus outbreak. Around 80 thousand confirmed cases, more than 2.500 deaths and numbers keep growing every day. Outbreaks of disease can spread rapidly and kill thousands. A disease Outbreak is declared when more cases of a disease than expected are recorded in one area. The Read More

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  • 20 Aug 2019
    9,795 views

    The silly season… or… The Dog Days of Summer

    The silly season is generally considered to be the period in the late summer months, when the mass media often focus on trivial or frivolous matters, for lack of major news stories. But it is also a period of time, during a holiday season, in which the behaviour of an individual or a group tends Read More

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  • 18 May 2017
    9,429 views

    Newsletter ME04 – What happens to our skin as we age?

    Nothing good! Skin health and beauty is considered one of the principle factors of overall “well being” and perception of “health” in humans. Watching our skin age can be one of the more distressing facts of aging. Visually we can see the skin aging, becoming drier, rougher and slacker, developing lesions such as benign or Read More

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  • 28 Feb 2017
    8,206 views

    AREN’T WE LUCKY!

    AREN’T WE LUCKY! We are the lucky “Algarveans” that have been having a most extraordinary sunny winter. This week, when all the news were talking about cold and ice everywhere in Europe, I have seen people at the beach, lying on a towel and even bathing … Crazy? May be not!  The sunshine has been Read More

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  • 15 May 2016
    9,064 views

    Why have a skin screen before summer?

    Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer! Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a major environmental factor, regarded as the main causative factor in the formation of skin tumours such as basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. This radiation causes DNA damage to the cells triggering mutations (genetic defects) that Read More

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  • 18 Apr 2014
    16,159 views

    Man’s Best FrenemyMan’s Best Frenemy

    MAN’S BEST “FRENEMY”?? One of our members of staff just recently became the proud owner of a brand new puppy, courtesy of a now much loved other half. And the very next day, that same member of staff came in wailing and complaining about being cover in flea bites! Now we all know by now Read More

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  • 18 Apr 2014
    8,915 views

    The International Algarve Fair

    The International Algarve Fair was again held at Fatacil this year on the 5th and 6th of June and Luzdoc was there to participate. As we have come to expect over the years it was a great success both through the organization, participation and attendance of all concerned. We saw many clients, old and new, Read More

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  • 01 Apr 2014
    8,623 views

    Traveling Throught

    We all travel through life, year after year, day by day and each hour, each minute should be used and enjoyed as much as possible along the way, an inevitable trip, a journey you will have to endure and profit with pleasure, making the best of it. Each life, each year, has expected routine and Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    24,707 views

    Health Concerns of a High Protein

    Protein is digested by enzymes situated in the upper part of the digestive tract only.  If there is an overload to these enzymes, undigested protein molecules reach the colon causing dysbiosis (A state of altered bacterial flora in the gut).  This putrefactive state can contribute to degenerative diseases later in life furthermore the undigested molecules Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    23,858 views

    A Life with a Purpose

    A Meaningful Life Protects Your Brain… And your Health A new study finds that having a higher purpose in life could protect against Alzheimer’s disease. A sense of higher purpose in life was found to be the most important psychosocial factor associated not only with less cognitive impairment and better psychological well-being, but also in Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    24,311 views

    Dr. Maria Alice

    Dr Maria Alice, the Managing Director of Luzdoc, was invited by Dr João Bacalhau, President of the Administration of the Hospital Particular do Algarve Group, to become one of the tree Directors in the Clinical Direction of the Group, which she has accepted with pleasure, as it is a return to a “friendly family” that, Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    24,477 views

    Influenza Virus

    1. INFLUENZA VIRUS: “THE FACTS OF LIFE” Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a viral illness that infects the respiratory tract of many animals, birds, and humans. It is divided into three types, namely A, B, and C. Furthermore, the differences between two specific proteins in the capsular wall of the influenza A virus provide Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    22,877 views

    Aging

    When I’ll get older, losing my hair… many years from now! What does it mean to grow older? During childhood, adolescence and young adulthood the typical “ambience” inside the mind is one of immortality and aging means nothing… it is not “your own thing”. Even though it’s a lifelong process it is not until the Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    23,834 views

    Silent Night

    Silent Night… Holy Night… Santa Claus is coming… to town… December is here again and, with it, all the usual joys of Christmas… There is a lot of confusion and controversy in people’s minds over the meaning of Christmas, in our personal lives and in the world. Yet only a few, if any, are willing Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    33,657 views

    Patient or Client?

    What do you prefer?…To be a patient… or a client? The word patient originally meant ‘one who suffers’, who has the “patience” to suffer. A patient is anyone who is ill or injured and in need of receiving medical attention, care, or treatment from a doctor or other medically educated person. Wrongly, there is the habit of Read More

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  • 29 Nov 2013
    24,900 views

    The Editorial – Travel Clinic

    With Dr Maria Alice Serrano e Silva at the helm since 1983, Luzdoc has continued to strive, on their clients’ behalf, to offer the best, most up to date services possible. One of these services is our new, dedicated Travel Medicine clinic, where we go through your whole itinerary, discuss relevant disease risks and advise Read More

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  • 26 Nov 2013
    21,351 views

    Treatment vs Cure

    TREATMENT vs CURE I am quite sure that I am not the first, last or the only doctor around who often gets very frustrated when they hear their patients saying “…but I felt better so I stopped taking them!”. Successful treatment of disease with prescription medicines requires consistent use of the medicines as prescribed. Yet Read More

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  • 19 Nov 2013
    10,953 views

    To Sue or not to Sue?

    TO SUE OR NOT TO SUE… the internet and liability A few days ago, a very interesting and rather thought-provoking article popped into my email inbox with the following title: “Chilling New Ways Patients are Suing Doctors”… hhhmm. The article was written in the context of the American  malpractice/liability landscape but it brought a couple Read More

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  • 15 Oct 2013
    11,257 views

    There’s a Rumbling in my Tummy

    THERE’S A RUMBLING IN MY TUMMY!!! On the 15 May 2012, the British Dietetic Association issued new evidence-based guidelines for the dietary management of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) in adults which I found most interesting. So I thought that as we come into summer and a lot of our eating habits change to accommodate the Read More

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