Peyia GP Surgery - Dr Theodora Bartzou

14/11/2025

World Diabetes Day – 14 November

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition that affects how the body regulates glucose (sugar) in the blood. Poorly controlled blood glucose can, over time, lead to serious complications, impacting vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, lower limbs, and overall quality of life.

Although diabetes is very common, prevention, early diagnosis, and proper medical monitoring can make a significant difference.

🔹 Main types of diabetes

• Type 1: An autoimmune condition in which the pancreas does not produce insulin. It typically appears at younger ages.
• Type 2: The most common form, associated with insulin resistance and often linked to lifestyle factors.
• Gestational diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and requires close medical supervision.

🩺 Early symptoms that require attention:

• Increased thirst, excessive hunger, and frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Wounds that heal slowly or frequent infections

If you notice such symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor for assessment and guidance.

💡 Prevention and management

✅ Adopt a balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and small portions of fruit.
✅ Maintain regular physical activity—ideally 30 minutes, 5 times per week.
✅ Monitor your blood sugar levels as advised by your doctor.
✅ Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
✅ Visit your doctor regularly for preventive checks and early intervention, especially if you have a family history of diabetes.

📌 On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, let us remember that knowledge and prevention are the most powerful tools for protecting our health. Diabetes can be effectively managed with early diagnosis, proper care, and consistent medical follow-up.

📞 26 442323
🌐 www.peyiagpsurgery.com

📧 info@peyiagpsurgery.com

Dr Theodora Bartzou
Specialist in General / Family Medicine | GHS General Practitioner

07/11/2025

🚨Seasonal Viral Infections - What You Should Know 🩺

As temperatures drop, seasonal viruses such as the common cold, influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 become more prevalent. While most cases are mild, infections can be more serious for people in high-risk groups - especially older adults or those with chronic illnesses.

🧠 How viruses spread

Transmission occurs mainly through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces. Crowded or poorly ventilated environments increase the risk of infection.

🤧 Typical symptoms

• Nasal congestion or sore throat
• Fever or mild temperature
• Muscle aches, chills, headache
• Fatigue and weakness
• Cough or shortness of breath

🩺 High-risk groups

🧓 Adults over 60
🫁 People with chronic heart or lung diseases (COPD, asthma)
🍬 Patients with diabetes or metabolic disorders
🤰 Pregnant women
👶 Infants and young children
🧬 Individuals with weakened immune systems

💡 Differentiating between infections

• Common Cold: Mild, gradual onset, nasal symptoms.
• Influenza: Sudden, high fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain.
• COVID-19: Fever, cough, sore throat, sometimes loss of taste or smell.
• RSV: Cough, wheezing, bronchiolitis (infants, older adults).

🏡 Home care tips

💧 Stay hydrated with water, soups, or herbal teas.
🛌 Rest and allow your body to recover.
🌡️ Use fever or pain relief medication only as directed by your doctor.
🌬️ Keep the air clean and ventilated; avoid exposure to smoke.
🧼 Wash hands frequently and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
🦠 Get tested if symptoms resemble influenza or COVID-19, or if vulnerable people are around.

🚨 When to seek medical advice

🚩 Shortness of breath, chest pain, or oxygen saturation below 94%
🚩 Fever above 39°C lasting more than 3 days
🚩 Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, fatigue, reduced urination)
🚩 Severe weakness, confusion, or worsening chronic illness
🚩 In children: difficulty breathing, bluish lips, drowsiness, or feeding refusal

🛡 Prevention — simple actions that save lives

💉 Get your annual flu vaccine and stay updated with COVID-19 boosters.
🧴 Practice good hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
🌬️ Ventilate indoor spaces regularly.
🏃 Support your immune system through rest, nutrition, and physical activity.
🏠 Stay home while symptomatic to prevent transmission.

📌 With awareness and medical guidance, most seasonal viral infections can be managed safely at home.
If you belong to a high-risk group or experience persistent symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.

📞 Phone: 26 442323
🌐 Website: www.peyiagpsurgery.com
📧 Email: info@peyiagpsurgery.com

Dr. Theodora Bartzou, MD, MSc
Specialist in General & Family Medicine | GESY Registered GP

31/10/2025

Seasonal Influenza Is Not Just a Common Cold

Every year, influenza is responsible for millions of infections worldwide and can lead to serious complications, especially in people with chronic conditions, the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

💉 Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure.
The flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of illness and the severity of symptoms in case of infection. It also helps protect the wider community — particularly those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

🩺 Who should get vaccinated?
Vaccination is recommended for:
• Individuals over 60 years of age
• People with chronic health conditions (cardiac, respiratory, metabolic disorders)
• Pregnant and postpartum women
• Healthcare professionals
• Children over 6 months of age
• Caregivers or family members of high-risk individuals
• Workers in migrant and refugee accommodation centers
• People living or working in closed communities — students, military personnel, residents and staff of institutions
• Veterinarians and livestock farmers
• People in regular contact with poultry

⚠ Influenza can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, worsening of chronic diseases, or hospitalization.
Vaccination provides protection, reduces the risk of spreading the virus, and helps safeguard public health.

📅 October and November are the ideal months for vaccination, allowing the body enough time to develop immunity before the peak of flu season.

Don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange your flu vaccination 💉🩺

📞 26 442323
🌐 www.peyiagpsurgery.com

📧 info@peyiagpsurgery.com

Dr. Theodora Bartzou, MD, MSc
Specialist in General & Family Medicine | GESY Registered GP

28/10/2025

Χρόνια Πολλά Ελλάδα!! Χρόνια Πολλά Έλληνες!!

The October 28th celebration is also called the “Ochi day” (ochi meaning ‘no’), reminding that in 1940 prime minister Ioannis Metaxas refused the Italian forces to enter Greece.
As a result, Greece entered World War II and the Greek-Italian war of 1940-1941 began.

At dawn of October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador, Emanuele Grazzi, presented the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas the ultimatum of Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini. This required the Italian army to cross the border with Albania and to occupy Greece. Metaxas replied in French “Alors, c’est la guerre” [‘So this is war’].
In a few hours the Italian army entered northeastern Greece. Greek soldiers successfully fought the Italian-Albanian forces and pushed them back into Albania. Because of that, Hitler’s German army had to step in and it invaded Greece in April 1941. The occupation lasted until October 1944.

23/10/2025

🎀 October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is a month dedicated to strength, hope, and human resilience.
A reminder that the fight against breast cancer is not individual but shared by all of us.

Every woman who fights, heals, or supports someone she loves teaches us what courage truly means.
Every story is a message of life.

Let’s keep raising awareness, offering support, and standing together.

Dr. Theodora Bartzou, MD, MSc
Specialist in General & Family Medicine | GESY Registered GP

[GR]

🎀 Οκτώβριος – Μήνας Ευαισθητοποίησης για τον Καρκίνο του Μαστού

Ο Οκτώβριος είναι ένας μήνας αφιερωμένος στη δύναμη, στην ελπίδα και στην ανθρώπινη αντοχή.
Ένας μήνας που μας υπενθυμίζει πως ο αγώνας απέναντι στον καρκίνο του μαστού δεν είναι ατομικός αλλά συλλογικός.

Κάθε γυναίκα που παλεύει, που θεραπεύτηκε ή που στηρίζει κάποιον δικό της, μας διδάσκει τι σημαίνει θάρρος.
Κάθε ιστορία είναι ένα μήνυμα ζωής.

Ας συνεχίσουμε να μιλάμε, να ενημερωνόμαστε, να στηρίζουμε.

Δρ. Θεοδώρα Μπάρτζου
Ειδικός Γενικής / Οικογενειακής Ιατρικής | Γενικός Ιατρός ΓΕΣΥ

20/10/2025

💉The flu vaccinations are now available at the surgery for our GESY patients. No appointment needed. You can come anytime Mon-Fri between 8:00am-11:00am. If this is not convenient to you, then please call the surgery on 26442323 to speak to the receptionist so we can book an time to suit you.

02/10/2025

Please, a polite reminder! The doctor physically can not see ALL the patients "TODAY or "NOW". We are receiving dozens of calls, emails, SMS, telegram, Viber, Instagram, messenger and messages. Please understand what an "EMERGENCY" is. A sore throat, cold, light fever is NOT AN EMERGENCY. You can try yourself rest, paracetamol, ibuprofen, vitamin C, oral or nose sprays, plenty of fluids, tea, honey and if not helping let us know. Thanks for your understanding

29/09/2025

The surgery will be closed on Wednesday 1st October for bank holiday. Please make sure that you have your prescriptions and referrals in place.

07/08/2025

🔥 HEATWAVE & WORK: The Role of Prevention in Safeguarding Workers’ Health

Exposure to high temperatures in the workplace, especially during intense heatwaves, poses a serious threat to employee health and safety. The risks are many: dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stress, and even heatstroke. Workers in outdoor environments such as construction sites, agriculture, cleaning, transportation or those required to wear heavy or synthetic protective clothing are particularly vulnerable.

Prevention and education are our strongest allies. Below are five essential measures that must be consistently implemented:

🔹 Hydration Without Waiting for Thirst
Water consumption should be regular and scheduled, not reactive. Ideally, workers should drink 150–250 ml (about one glass) every 15–20 minutes during moderate activity. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, as they promote dehydration.

🔹 Appropriate Clothing & UV Protection
Light-colored, cotton, and loose-fitting clothing allows for effective sweat evaporation and thermoregulation. A wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses provide added defense against sun exposure.

🔹 Work Schedule Adjustment & Frequent Breaks
Employers should reschedule demanding tasks outside peak heat hours (12:00–17:00). Access to air-conditioned or shaded areas is crucial. Breaks must be frequent and sufficient.

🔹 Early Recognition of Heat Stress Symptoms
Headache, nausea, dizziness, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, or confusion are warning signs that must be assessed immediately by qualified health personnel.

🔹 Teamwork & Continuous Supervision
Working in pairs or groups reduces the risk of delayed responses in heat-related emergencies. Never work alone in hot environments.

📌 Prevention is not only an individual responsibility but also an organizational obligation. Informed employees and responsible employers can safeguard health and ensure the sustainability of workplace operations—even under extreme weather conditions.

Dr. Theodora Bartzou
Specialist in General & Family Medicine | GESY Registered GP

📞 26 442323
🌐 www.peyiagpsurgery.com
📧 info@peyiagpsurgery.com

04/08/2025

31/07/2025

🌍 World Hepatitis Day — July 28th

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can progress into serious disease, affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people worldwide. It often develops silently, without visible symptoms. Every 30 seconds, one person dies from a hepatitis-related cause.

✳️ Viral hepatitis is the most common and dangerous form.
It is the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally. Types B and C are responsible for most serious complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, accounting for the vast majority of hepatitis-related deaths. Alarmingly, millions of people live with the disease unknowingly.

🟢 Main types of viral hepatitis:
• Hepatitis A causes acute infection and is transmitted through contaminated food or water.
• Hepatitis B and C may become chronic and are primarily transmitted through blood or body fluids.
Hepatitis B is the most widespread globally, while hepatitis C remains underdiagnosed despite its severity.

📌 Hepatitis is not limited to viral forms. Other types include:
• Alcoholic
• Drug-induced
• Autoimmune
• Metabolic (e.g., NASH)
• Toxic (chemicals, herbs, environment)
• Secondary to autoimmune conditions
• Inherited/genetic (e.g., Wilson’s disease)

🦠 Viral hepatitis is transmitted through:
• Blood or body fluids (B and C)
• Unprotected sexual contact (especially B)
• Contaminated food or water (A and E)
• Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth (mostly B)
• Shared needles or instruments (e.g., tattoos, piercings)
• Items with blood contact (razors, toothbrushes)

🔹 It is not transmitted through hugging, kissing, coughing, or sharing utensils. Accurate information reduces stigma and protects communities.

⚠️ Possible symptoms include:
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Fatigue, loss of appetite
• Nausea, fever
• Dark urine, pale stools
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
Many individuals remain asymptomatic, which makes early screening crucial.

🌟 Over 350 million people worldwide live with chronic viral hepatitis. Timely diagnosis and access to treatment can prevent severe and often fatal complications.

✅ Protect yourself with simple but essential measures:
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B
• Get screened if you belong to a high-risk group
• Do not share needles or personal items
• Use condoms
• Choose certified facilities for tattoos and piercings
• Consult your doctor for guidance and personalized advice

💊 Is there treatment?
✔ Hepatitis C is now fully curable with modern antiviral therapy.
✔ Chronic hepatitis B can be effectively managed with long-term treatment.

📌 Today is a powerful reminder that hepatitis can’t wait. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are vital.

📞 Phone: 26 442323
🌐 Website: www.peyiagpsurgery.com
📧 Email: info@peyiagpsurgery.com

Dr. Theodora Bartzou
Specialist in General & Family Medicine | GESY Registered GP

25/07/2025

Ο Οργανισμός Ασφάλισης Υγείας ενημερώνει το κοινό για τα στοιχεία επικοινωνίας των υπηρεσιών εφημερίας Προσωπικού Ιατρού (ΠΙ) για το Σάββατο 26 Ιουλίου και την Κυριακή 27 Ιουλίου 2025, ανά επαρχία. Οι εφημερίες λειτουργούν τα Σαββατοκύριακα και στις Δημόσιες Αργίες, μεταξύ των ωρών 11:00–17:00.
Περισσότερες πληροφορίες θα βρείτε μέσω της ιστοσελίδας του ΓεΣΥ (www.gesy.org.cy), στην Ενότητα «Παροχείς» και στην Κατηγορία «Υπηρεσίες Εφημερίας Προσωπικών Ιατρών». https://loom.ly/PkvJOHE
Σημείωση: Τα επικαιροποιημένα στοιχεία επικοινωνίας των υπηρεσιών εφημερίας ΠΙ αναρτώνται εβδομαδιαία στην ιστοσελίδα του ΓεΣΥ (www.gesy.org.cy), και στα Μέσα Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης του Οργανισμού.

Ομοσπονδία Συνδέσμων Ασθενών Κύπρου- ΟΣΑΚ
Οργανισμός Κρατικών Υπηρεσιών Υγείας - ΟΚΥπΥ
Υπουργείο Υγείας Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
___________

Health Insurance Organization informs the public about the contact details of Personal Doctor (PD) on-call services on Saturday, July 26 and on Sunday, July 27 2025, by province. On-Call Services operate on Weekends and Public Holidays, between 11:00–17:00.
Additional information can be found on the GHS (GESY) website (www.gesy.org.cy) under the «Providers» section and the category «Personal Doctor On-Call Services»
https://loom.ly/PkvJOHE
Note: Updated contact details for Personal Doctor on-call services are posted weekly on the GHS (GESY) website (www.gesy.org.cy) and on HIO’s Social Media accounts.