Malta - British Expat Forum

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what (or where to find info on) common health problems there are in Malta. Have tried googling but not found too much clear info. I have heard that rheumatism and breathing problems are common - is this true?

I also read that breast cancer rates are fairly high there too.

Thanks,

Rachel

I know a friend of a friend who retired and had to move back to Blighty because of the damp air but now sure what the actual problem was, am a bit concerned as I have been tormented by sinus issues last few years and don't want to have got out of frying pan and into fire although in all fairness it seemed to improve the times I have been over - although not in Jan.Feb so that might be different. And I can already beat the Met Office hands down with my joints, so I hope that isn't worse.

I guess everyone is different and every place. There's probably just as many things that are better when living in Malta.

I suffer with even a teeny bit of second hand cigarette smoke - I know about it the next day! I haven't had any problems in Malta in the height of Summer (I was told the dust causes chest probs), even running along the coast road with all the traffic, (maybe my lungs were so busy coping with the traffic fumes they forgot the dust lol!), and when the rubbish used to be smoldering nicely.

I have been told that people get lots of mould on the walls during winter. I wonder if that's due to drying clothes in doors. Could also be if the house is limestone as I understand it soaks up moisture.

As yours was the only reply to my post I suspect we might be OK 8)

There is a high rate of diabetes in Malta, but their health care approach is better than the UK.

Suzy has asthma and uses the inhalers but has found no major problems since moving here. In fact she feels better and doesn't use them as often.

Damp can be a problem in most houses during the winter, but it's better to take a proactive approach by ventilating and cleaning walls before the mould appears. We have found that any rooms I painted with good paint (e.g. Dulux/Crown) didn't develop mould. Other rooms with 'cheap' Maltese paint just needed washed down with diluted bleach and it didn't return.

Yeah. let's go with that theory LOL
There are plenty of threads on how to attempt to stop the mould/humidity. Although I don't think it is a drying indoors issue.
I found my AWFUL chesty throaty thing actually improved when I came over, bearing in mind I had had it 3 months at that point and had umpteen antibiotics I don't think that was a fluke. Getting out of UK or at least our very cold, rainy bit of it seemed to do the trick. I know part of it can be psychological when you are on holiday but I don't feel so old and crumbly once I am in Malta. Which considering I am not yet 40 is a good thing. Some days here i feel like 80. But I am well aware we haven't been over in the height of summer or the worst months of Jan/Feb. Due to school hols and various other things we are restricted in when we can visit. I am sitting here thinking it is 6 weeks to our Easter hols (ours aren't at Easter necessarily) and so that means winter is nearly over yes? One more winter to go then. Get in!

oh we must have been posting at same time Bob. Waves.

pumabob wrote:Suzy has asthma and uses the inhalers but has found no major problems since moving here. In fact she feels better and doesn't use them as often. Damp can be a problem in most houses during the winter, but it's better to take a proactive approach by ventilating and cleaning walls before the mould appears. We have found that any rooms I painted with good paint (e.g. Dulux/Crown) didn't develop mould. Other rooms with 'cheap' Maltese paint just needed washed down with diluted bleach and it didn't return.

Both those bits of info are good to know Bob - I shall make sure to buy good quality paint. Obviously I shall delegate the actual task of painting to husband

Didn't know about the diabetes though - is it diet related I wonder?

Boogie - heck there's no hope for me if you feel 80 at 40 I should get on the phone to the undertaker! I prescribe a few breaths of Malta air to invigorate you.

I accept your prescription willingly. Going to try and book our hols today.

pumabob wrote:There is a high rate of diabetes in Malta,

related to the fact that Maltese are the most obese citizens in the EU - caused by

1. for many Maltese their only exercise is getting in and out of a car
2. their diet is often very poor - you can eat very healthily in Malta, but many Maltese don't. The pastizzi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastizzi must rank up there with Elvis's deep fried peanut butter sarnies as the world's most unhealthy food. Meat consumption here is phenomenal - the typical purchase of meat at a butchers is 10 kg at a time

gozomark wrote:Pastizzi must rank up there with Elvis's deep fried peanut butter sarnies as the world's most unhealthy food. Meat consumption here is phenomenal - the typical purchase of meat at a butchers is 10 kg at a time

Yes, but they do taste scrum! The Maltese bread has a lot to answer for too. I can understand why you might become addicted to both - I have to use a 'don't look' policy when I'm over there. I thought the UK were the most obese in EU - we aren't even good at that anymore

One of my reasons for moving to Malta was health..

I have rheumatism in my wrist where i shattered it as a child, poor cartiledge in both knees from accidents when training in the RAF, one shoulder which i tore out of place in a motorway pile up and 8 minor fractures ranging from my ankle to my knuckles - it hurts like hell all over my right side from oct - march here in the UK the minute the temp drops right down.

Words cannot express how much i'm looking forward to being in a warmer climate!

gozomark wrote: related to the fact that Maltese are the most obese citizens in the EU - caused by 1. for many Maltese their only exercise is getting in and out of a car

bloody funny is that - me thinking Americans & Canadians were the only ones doing that

Quote:

2. their diet is often very poor - you can eat very healthily in Malta, but many Maltese don't. Meat consumption here is phenomenal - the typical purchase of meat at a butchers is 10 kg at a time

Well, a jar of olives [at anytime day or night] with a chunk of nice fresh crusty Maltese bread, black coffee, BBQ fish, add cheese to the diet, will do me just fine.

Throw in some sticky figs & dates, a few greens - bingo, will be as fat as a pig in no time

Skip any soda drinks, pastizzi & those wonderful Maltese pastries - you'll probably live to 100

Penury wrote: Skip any soda drinks, pastizzi & those wonderful Maltese pastries - you'll probably live to 100

@Penury

Nooooo, not the Pastizzi....just one, pleeeeeeeese if I promise to make it one of those small peacakes

@CavScorpian
Hope all goes well and gets sorted. Most of all hope climate does the trick for you.

Penury wrote: gozomark wrote: related to the fact that Maltese are the most obese citizens in the EU - caused by 1. for many Maltese their only exercise is getting in and out of a car bloody funny is that - me thinking Americans & Canadians were the only ones doing that Quote: 2. their diet is often very poor - you can eat very healthily in Malta, but many Maltese don't. Meat consumption here is phenomenal - the typical purchase of meat at a butchers is 10 kg at a time Well, a jar of olives [at anytime day or night] with a chunk of nice fresh crusty Maltese bread, black coffee, BBQ fish, add cheese to the diet, will do me just fine. Throw in some sticky figs & dates, a few greens - bingo, will be as fat as a pig in no time Skip any soda drinks, pastizzi & those wonderful Maltese pastries - you'll probably live to 100

I though pastazzi were filled with resotta? which is a (relatively) low fat cheese?

CavScorpion wrote:I though pastazzi were filled with resotta? which is a (relatively) low fat cheese?

Also sort of mushy peas (my fav). Sadly it'll be the buttery pastry that'll getcha!