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It is the worst possible time to visit a clinic for men’s health: just after the celebrations in Spain, which last until the night of Reyes (the three kings), who arrive on January 6 with more calories and alcohol.
So heading into Gibraltar from the Costa del Sol in mid-January (only a ‘dry-ish’ January for me, being a near-suicidal Spurs fan) was with some serious trepidation.
Why you should have a Well Man Check in Gibraltar every year is a multi-faceted question.
READ MORE Leading Spanish doctor: Three signs that your heart health may be at risk
You are dealing first and foremost with British doctors and nurse, which is a major concern for many expats in Spain when it comes health issues.
It is comforting for me to hear about my death in Spanish.
It’s true that there are many doctors in private hospitals in Marbella and Mijas that speak English. But it’s still not the same as talking to a GP who has had dozens of experiences in health issues in your home country.
Gibraltar has a single clinic, Gib Med International Hospital, that provides this service.
The following was offered to me for just under 400 euros:
- Well man screening (including exercise ECG, if needed)
- Full Well Man Health Assessment including Exercise ECG, if needed
- Stroke screening
- Cancer screening (Bowel, Prostate, Lung)
- Aneurysm screening
David Deardon, a British-trained consultant and general surgeon, was on hand to supervise the two new operating theatres.
The process of entering Gibraltar, contrary to what you might have heard, was remarkably fluid. Once across the border, it took only ten minutes to reach the historic Casemates Square hospital.
The clinic was also very easy to use. I was out of there in less than an hour after a nurse had checked my vitals and a GP spoke with me briefly.
Yes, blood tests are required. Also, urine and poo samples must be provided. These can all be collected during a leisurely morning of exploring the Rock.
A new litmus test is available today that dips into your urine and determines if any of the major illnesses are present. There wasn’t.
My nurse Antonia was in the British healthcare system for many years before she moved to Gibraltar about a decade ago.
She was warm and friendly, and gave me lots of tips on health and what the clinic would be looking for.
I explained to her that I had been having problems with my nasal breathing ever since I got Covid two years ago. It was also affecting my sleep.
She quickly offered me a few practical tips that I am following now and seeing some improvements.
Next, I was sent to Dr Aaron Dehghan. He is a Mancunian and asked me about any concerns I had about my health.
The meeting was brief, since the main discussion would be held in two weeks after the results were received.
Dr Dehghan was ready to get down to business when I returned the week before, pulling out charts and pointing his computer.
The good news was I’m going to live till 100-plus… that is if I give up alcohol, start walking two hours a day, and limit my chocolate intake to just one line of dark, and no more than twice a week.
Being realistic, the main concern for the genial doctor, who moved to Gibraltar last year from Oxford, was my weight and my need for better sleep… which likely linked to my alcohol intake, which he insisted was ‘too high’ (not helped by the festive period, as I pointed out).
“You need between seven to eight hours of sleep a night,” explained he. It’s easy to fix if the cause of your sleep issue is a nasal problem and dry mouth.
He then showed me a procedure that involved a salt water spray, a steroid nose spray and told me I had to perform it every day for six to twelve weeks. “And most people spray their noses instead of their sinuses.”
He had the exact same problem after he broke his nose ‘bumping into a tree’ no less and spent three months following the procedure to cure it.
He said my high alcohol intake and nightly snacking was also straining my body, and that I should try to lose five kilos.
He insisted that the idea of drinking a glass of red wine every day was a myth. “There is no safe limit. There is a social aspect to alcohol, but you still need to be careful.
As it contains toxins, they can cause dementia and liver issues.
It was a very sobering experience. And particularly, as he insisted, I could only have a bottle and a half of wine a week – around 14 units – and ‘ideally spread out over the week’.
While he was happy with my attempt to get 8,000 to 10,000 steps of exercise a day (‘great for cardiovascular health’) he recommended some strength and balance training.
He said, “You need to continue building muscle. You can do weights, if that’s what you enjoy, but pilates and yoga also have a calming affect on the body.” “Above everything, a variety in exercise is essential.”
I’m not pre-diabetic, and my blood tests and poo test were all good. (No signs of prostate or cancer). But my cholesterol was high and I had to reduce it. I warned you that it was not a good idea to visit right after Christmas.
It was so bad that he said my heart was the same as a man five years older (61), with an 8.7% chance I would have a heart-attack or cardiac arrest in the coming decade.
He said I could reduce cholesterol by drinking less alcohol, relaxing and sleeping better, and also by avoiding carbohydrate-rich foods and processed foods. Pasta, rice, and prepared meals are the worst culprits.
He joked: “If your grandmother wouldn’t recognize it, then don’t eat that.”
He said that I must come back six months later to check my cholesterol levels, otherwise, I will have to take statins or other pills. It was certainly food to think about.
To book your annual membership, click here. Well Man Visit Gib Med International Hospital www.gibmed.gi
