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Going to the doctor in Spanish

December 7th, 2011 | Posted by JLynch in Jamie | Medical - (3 Comments)

Last week, like many other people, I was really sick and completely bedridden for almost an entire week.  After two years in Spain, it was finally time to go to the doctor for the first time.  Luckily for me, Raúl took care of finding the number of the nearest Sanitas doctor. This was great, except for the fact that it did not occur to him that it might make sense for me to see an English speaking doctor. I did not have the strength to undo what was already done nor could I fathom waiting any longer to get treated, so I sucked it up and made the appointment.

While the experience was positive overall, there are a few things I would have done differently to prepare myself if I could do it all over again. Even though my Spanish is strong, I still felt a bit lost. For better or worse, I am not used to discussing flu-like symptoms in Spanish, so those words just were not part of my vocabulary. I tried to tell the doctor that my ears hurt by saying “me duelen las orejas” but apparently that direct translation from English is just not a correct way of describing this symptom in Spanish.  I quickly reverted to hand gestures, and before long the doctor did as well since it was clear to him that I was just not following.  Looking back, my advice would be as follows:

  • As a heads up, when you call to make the appointment, they are going to ask you what type of doctor you want to see. I did not know what to say (a doctor doctor, I was thinking). Try to have this one figured out before you call.  In the end, I needed Medicina General, which makes sense in retrospect, but I have never had to make such a distinction when calling to make a doctor’s appointment back home.
  • Write down a translated list of your key symptoms using an English-Spanish dictionary before you go.  This is especially critical because I have noted there are several “false friends” in the health arena, such as costipada (hint: it has nothing to do with your digestion).
  • Do not hesitate to ask the doctor to repeat himself several times; at the end of the day this is our health we are talking about. I left the doctor thinking that he prescribed me some sort of throat gargle that I needed to mix with hot water twice a day, only to find when I went to the pharmacy that he really prescribed me anti-biotic pills. I still have no idea how I got so mixed up.
  • If you are on any other medications before you go, have the names written down along with that they are and what they do, translated into Spanish. The doctor is clearly going to ask you this, and if you are not sure, for example, what the words for insulin and what it treats are in Spanish, you could be putting yourself at risk.

All in all, this experience was not nearly as scary as it sounds, and I am lucky that I only had a throat infection (I think?) and not something more serious.  The doctor could not be any nicer and more patient, and I am happy to report that the prescribed treatment worked and I feel so much better. Although I am proof positive that this can be done successfully without making these advanced preparations, in the end I think they can help quite a bit.

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Dentistry in Madrid: American-style

June 16th, 2011 | Posted by Erin in Erin | Health | Medical - (0 Comments)

I like my teeth. I’m especially reminded of that here where good dental care seems as hard to come by as my beloved crunchy peanut butter (I realize these two things probably don’t go well together). Lucky for me, and all of you, one of the world’s fanciest dental offices (IMHO), Clinica CLOE, is right here in Madrid. And it happens to be run by folks who know what they’re doing – American-style. With that in mind, Guiri Guide decided to find out more from one of the founders, Dr. Mya Choufani, so that we can help you keep your pearly whites, white.

What types of services do you offer at Clinica CLOE?
Clinica CLOE is a state-of-the-art dental practice where a US-trained team, including a leading Implant Specialist, Orthodontist, Cosmetic Dentist, Pediatric Dentist and Endodontist, all work from one office. In doing so, we provide patients with the highest quality, integrated and coordinated care. Our treatments range from smile makeovers, teeth whitening, aesthetic dentistry, orthodontics, implants, to simple fillings and routine hygiene cleanings and check-ups.

What makes your clinic different than other Spanish dental clinics?
The founders, Dr. Victor Begara and myself, as well as the rest of the team, are graduates of New York University College of Dentistry, Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine, Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio and La Universidad Europea de Madrid, where each one of us presently holds leadership positions teaching other dentists. CLOE represents the ultimate in multidisciplinary dental treatment providing the highest levels of dentistry – from the smallest fillings to the most complex smile makeovers and dental reconstructions – all in one Madrid dental office. Each of us takes pride in our work and the outcome of every treatment we perform, as well as making sure the patient’s experience is an enjoyable one.

What made you decide to open a clinic in Madrid and why Campo de las Naciones?
Since both Dr. Begara and I hold teaching positions at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, staying in Madrid was a MUST! Looking for the perfect location was NOT easy, but knowing exactly what we wanted, Campo de Las Naciones was the area that mostly fulfilled our demands: a quiet area, full of trees and lots of light! We want our patients to escape reality from the time they visit us to the time they leave. We make sure their experience is as stressless as possible. So, we start off the visit with offering each patient a Nespresso coffee, and the entire time in the dental chair, the patient is able to watch their favorite movie or TV Show, while the work is being performed.

Do you have any special deals?
We have a summer teeth-whitening special, which includes a 30% discount on the “Take-Home Treatment” or the “1-hour In-Office Treatment.”

Are your services covered by health insurance?
Yes, as long as it is an insurance that either covers dental services, or an insurance policy which has a dental reimbursement plan.

What type of clientele do you mostly treat?
Believe it or not, more than 50% of our patients are foreigners – all English speakers and a lot of French speakers as well since not only do I speak French fluently, but the office is located a few blocks from the Lycee Francais of Madrid.

How best to get to the clinic if you live in the city center?
Considering the office is located in an area with easy and free access to parking, coming by car is a convenient option. To come by public transportation, you can either take the metro to “Campo de Las Naciones,” or just use the EMT Bus System.

For more information, you can visit the Clinica CLOE website, or call 91 371 7919.

Farmacias in Madrid

March 11th, 2011 | Posted by allisonstendardi in Allison | Health | Medical - (3 Comments)

Farmacias in Madrid are fantastic and plentiful. There is a farmacia on practically every block of the city it seems. They are marked by large electric green signs, so they are easy to spot. Most farmacias are open during siesta hours in the afternoon, and there are even some special “24 Hour” farmacias, in case you have an emergency in the middle of the night and need to get a certain medication. It’s important to know where the closest farmacia is to where you live, especially the closest 24 hour farmacia. My closest emergency farmacia is located on Calle de Goya, right next to one of the giant Corte Ingles buildings, as seen in this image.

You can search here for the farmacia closest to you.

Last spring Stephanie gave a rundown of filling a prescription here in Spain. One very important thing to be aware of when preparing for your move to Madrid, or once you move here, is the ease at which one can acquire birth control over the counter at local farmacias. There is no need to stock up on birth control at home, for it can easily be obtained here, without a prescription (!). For such a Catholic country I was really surprised about this. For me, I simply took my empty packet of American birth control to the farmacia, the pharmacist looked it over, and suggested something similar. I purchased it and have had no problems with it. If you have had adverse reactions to birth control in the past, I do recommend you obtain a good translation of what dosages you are looking for to avoid issues.

I love my local farmacia. Every time I go in the pharmacist asks me if I wear sun cream, and every time I say that yes, everyday I wear sun cream (who wants to look like a wrinkly old lady by 40? and skin cancer doesn’t sound like a good time…). Despite my assurances that I am taking care of my skin, each time she proceeds to launch into a lecture about the dangers of the sun.

Thanks for looking out for me, farmacia lady.

Mental Health Resources

February 16th, 2011 | Posted by allisonstendardi in Guiri Guest | Health | Medical - (1 Comments)

Guiri Guest Alondra Palomino and her husband moved to Madrid from Jersey City, NJ. A long time AZ native, she is thrilled to be in the sunshine once again. She writes and teaches English to kids. In her free time, she is an avid bookworm, foodie, and goldsmith.

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Moving abroad can be exhilarating, exciting, and truly one of the best experiences in your life. But let’s not kid ourselves, there are times when it can be a difficult and overwhelming process. Each situation is unique and there are many factors that can determine whether or not you enjoy your new life abroad.

Despite speaking the language and having plenty of friends here, there have been times when I have been tempted to rip my own hair out. Just because you speak the language doesn’t mean you automatically understand the jokes, the food, or the culture. Add a partner, spouse, or children into the mix and you might find yourself wondering if you made the right decision to leave the comfortable cocoon of your home country.

A study in the March-April 1999 edition of the Harvard Business Review found that 25% of expat employees leave their organizations within their first year of living abroad. Often, they find the move abroad to be too much for their family. Before you pack up and go home, consider that there are resources available for you and your loved ones. If you reach out for help, consider the following:

1. Do you want the therapist to be local? There are plenty of sites that offer therapy sessions via Skype as well as in person.
2. Do you have a language preference? If so, this may be a key factor to getting the guidance you need.
3. What type of help do you need? Are you seeking help for yourself, your children, or you and your partner? Are you dealing with addiction, anxiety, depression, etc?
4. Do you have private insurance? If so, check with your insurance company to see if they will cover some of the cost.

Here are some sites that can assist you in finding the help you need:

Your Tango- If you are crunched for time, perhaps Skype may be the best option for you. This is a great starting point to help you search for qualified therapists who can provide their services via Skype.
Need a Therapist here in Spain?- A list of psychotherapists throughout Spain.
English Speaking Therapists - This is a great site for those who are looking for English speaking therapists. Contact information and links to individual websites are listed.
Centro Hispano-Columbiano – This is a great local non-profit, which despite the name caters to anyone in the Madrid community. They offer free group and individual therapy sessions, as well as many helpful workshops.

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Neighborhood: Salamanca

September 1st, 2010 | Posted by jodiehop in Courtney | Fitness | Food and Restaurants | Health | Medical | Police | Shopping - (3 Comments)

Barrio Salamanca can be a bit upscale. They say its the most exclusive quarter, which can absolutely be true as you stroll past ultra high end shop after shop on Calle Serrano but in truth Barrio Salamanca has quite a bit of diversity to offer, for all budgets.

I live on Francisco Silvela just above the Diego de Leon metro which has lines 4, 5, 6 (the circle line). I basically can get anywhere in the city by direct line. And to get to the airport I simply take line 4 to Mar de Cristal and switch for the airport which is just a few stops further.

There is a large police station here at Calle General Pardiñas 90.  Also, you might find it helpful to know that you can call 091 in an emergency if you have been victimized in a crime. Or report a crime at the number 902 102 112.

There is a gigantic hospital, Hospital Universitario De La Princesa, just on Diego de Leon. I heard somewhere once that its one of the largest in Spain.

I have found an area with great easy going bars, some of which have tapas. They are primarily congregated on General Pardiñas at the corner of Ayala, accessible from both the Lista and Goya metro stops. Try La Negra Flor or Lounge Coffee.

If shopping is for you, to go the Lista metro and once you’ve exited head south on Calle Conde de Peñalvar. You’ll find shops and major chains for all tastes along this road and throughout the surrounding streets. Once you hit Acala and the Goya area the shopping extends in all directions.

There is great boutique shopping throughout the streets as well. Take time to meander a bit. Find shops like this great Oleoteca.

There are a couple of great food markets in the area where you can get fresh produce and meats and cheeses. Check out Mercado de la Paz on Calle Ayala 28, 28001 for quality items (some a bit pricey), there is a large selection of goods here. There is another market for your basic food needs on the south side of the street on Diego de Leon just west of Calle Principe de Vergara.

As for food stores there are all the basics at normal prices such as Eroski and Carrefour. But there are a couple to mention which might entice. For yummy cupcakes try Cupcake Madrid on C/Velazquez 126. Or for all your wine and spirits needs visit Lavinia on C/José Ortega y Gasset 16.

One of the best things about Salamanca is its proximity to Buen Parque Retiro. You might say I live on the edge of Salamanca however its only a mile jog to Retiro which on most days in Madrid is very pleasant. Another smaller park very worth the time to sit and relax is Jardines de Maria Eva Duarte de Perón.

Basically, I find that I have everything I need in Salamanca which can all be reached by foot. I admit there are times when the population seems to be a bit ‘older’ but once I begin venturing to the places which interest me, the demographic [thankfully] drops in age and the common interests come through a bit more.

If you have any specific questions on Salamanca, I am more than happy to answer the best I can.

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