Blog | Dr. Stefan

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Preventing Sports Injuries in January: How to Return to Exercise Safely

Preventing Sports Injuries in January: How to Return to Exercise Safely January is the month of new beginnings, a time when many expats and residents in Barcelona commit to returning to the gym, starting new workout routines, or increasing their training intensity after the holiday break. But jumping back into exercise too quickly can lead to muscle strains, joint pain, fatigue, and preventable injuries that may interrupt your progress. Whether you are resuming your fitness r

Stefan Botnar

7 days ago3 min read

Dry January: How to Support Your Liver Health After the Holiday Season

Dry January: How to Support Your Liver Health After the Holiday Season After weeks of celebrations, dinners, trips, cocktails, and excess sugar, January becomes the perfect month to reset your system. Dry January , increasingly popular among expats in Europe and North America, is the practice of avoiding alcohol throughout the month to give your liver time to recover. If you are living in Barcelona, understanding how to support your liver during this period can help you impr

Stefan Botnar

Dec 43 min read

Women’s Health: Why Preventive Gynecological Check-Ups Matter at Every Age

Women’s health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet it is often postponed or overlooked — especially when traveling, working abroad, or adapting to a new routine. A preventive gynecological check-up is one of the most effective ways to protect your health, detect conditions early, and maintain confidence in your body at every stage of life. Whether you live in Barcelona or are visiting the city for a short stay, knowing where to find professional, multilingual, an

Stefan Botnar

Nov 233 min read

Caring for Your Mental Health While Living Abroad

Moving abroad can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. You discover new cultures, languages, and opportunities. But it also comes with challenges that often go unnoticed: loneliness, cultural adjustment, uncertainty, and emotional fatigue. Even in a beautiful city like Barcelona, with sunshine and sea views, many expatriates and long-term visitors experience stress, anxiety, or low mood. Taking care of your mental health while living away from home is just as importan

Stefan Botnar

Nov 203 min read

World Diabetes Day: Understanding the Global Shortage of Semaglutide

Every year on November 14, the medical community marks World Diabetes Day , a reminder of the global effort to prevent, detect, and manage one of the world’s most widespread chronic diseases. This year, the date arrives amid growing concern about the shortage of key diabetes medications such as Ozempic , Rybelsus , and Wegovy —all based on a compound called semaglutide . For many patients, these medications are not optional. They are essential for maintaining stable blood sug

Stefan Botnar

Nov 133 min read

Why You Should Get a Medical Check-Up Before Your Christmas Holidays in Barcelona

Planning a trip to Barcelona this Christmas? Before you pack your bags and dive into the festive atmosphere, consider adding one essential step to your holiday checklist: a medical check-up . Whether you’re visiting for leisure or business, taking a moment to care for your health ensures that you can fully enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer, from the Christmas markets to the Mediterranean sunsets, with peace of mind. Traveling in Good Health Means Traveling With

Stefan Botnar

Nov 63 min read

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Expat Life in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city filled with light , literally. With over 2,500 hours of sunshine each year, it’s hard to imagine that anyone here could struggle with low mood or seasonal depression. Yet every autumn, I meet patients , especially expatriates , who come to my clinic saying the same thing: “Doctor, I don’t understand it. The weather is beautiful, but I feel tired, unmotivated, and sad for no reason.” This pattern is common and often linked to a subtle but real condition kno

Stefan Botnar

Oct 315 min read

Flu Season in Barcelona: Why October Is the Right Time for a Flu Shot

October marks a quiet but important turning point in Barcelona. The air cools, terraces are less crowded, and locals trade beachwear for light jackets. But as the seasons shift, so does the city’s health landscape, and the flu virus begins its yearly return . Every autumn, my clinic starts seeing more patients with fever, cough, and fatigue, both locals and international residents. Many travelers assume that the Mediterranean climate protects against the flu. The truth is tha

Stefan Botnar

Oct 204 min read

Cold, Flu, or COVID? How to Tell the Difference This Autumn

As temperatures drop and terraces fill with scarves instead of sunglasses, a familiar question starts to circulate in Barcelona: “Do I have a cold, the flu… or COVID?” Every autumn, my clinic sees a surge in patients , both tourists and expats , who arrive worried about fever, cough, and fatigue. The symptoms can look deceptively similar, yet the causes (and the level of concern) are very different. For travelers and international residents, the confusion is even greater. Lon

Stefan Botnar

Oct 155 min read

Vitamin D Deficiency in Barcelona: The Hidden Autumn Problem

Barcelona is known for its endless sunshine, outdoor lifestyle, and Mediterranean charm. Many people move here , or visit regularly , believing that the bright Spanish weather automatically guarantees good health. Yet every autumn, I see patients who feel inexplicably tired, moody, or lacking in energy , despite the sun. The cause often surprises them: vitamin D deficiency . In a city that enjoys more than 2,500 hours of sunlight a year, it sounds almost impossible. But as da

Stefan Botnar

Oct 25 min read