Neurology

English-Speaking Neurological Care in Lisbon and Porto

Recurring headaches, dizziness, numbness, sleep problems, or changes in memory can be difficult to navigate, especially in another country. At United Medical Clinic, our priority is prompt medical care and clear communication for expats, travelers, and local residents. Both doctors and our entire clinic staff speak English, so you can explain your symptoms, ask questions, and understand your next steps.

Book directly—no referral from a primary care doctor is required. Clinics run several times a week, with the next available appointments shown in our online booking system. We welcome patients with insurance and those paying out of pocket. Please check your plan's coverage and payment arrangements with our administrative team.

Consultations cost €120. Diagnostic tests and procedures are billed separately. In-person appointments are available in Lisbon and Porto, and both doctors offer online consultations for patients in cities throughout Europe.

When to Book: Symptoms and Reasons for a Visit

You do not need a diagnosis before scheduling an appointment. Reasons to seek an evaluation include:

• Recurring headaches: migraines, pressure or tightness around your head, headaches that interfere with daily life, or increasing reliance on pain relievers.
• Dizziness or balance problems: a spinning sensation, unsteadiness, or difficulty keeping your balance when walking.
• Numbness or tingling: pins and needles, burning sensations, or reduced feeling in your hands, feet, arms, or legs.
• Neck, back, or nerve pain: shooting pain or pain that radiates down an arm or leg.
• Tremor or movement changes: shaking hands, muscle twitching, stiffness, or changes in the way you walk.
• Memory or concentration concerns: forgetfulness, difficulty with familiar tasks, or behavioral changes noticed by family members.
• Sleep problems: insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Previous seizures, blackouts, or episodes of loss of consciousness: evaluation and follow-up after any necessary emergency assessment.
• Ongoing symptoms after a stroke: follow-up care, medication review, and guidance on recovery.

You can also book a visit for a second opinion, a review of test results obtained abroad, or help continuing treatment after moving to Portugal.

Sudden weakness or numbness on one side, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking requires emergency care. Call 112. Do not wait for a routine appointment, even if the symptoms go away.

Conditions Evaluated and Managed

Neurology covers conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Within UMC's clinical areas of care, patients can seek help for:

• Migraine and other headache disorders: tension-type headache, cluster headache, and medication-overuse headache.
• Peripheral neuropathies and neuralgia: conditions associated with nerve pain, numbness, or altered sensation.
• Cerebrovascular disease: follow-up after a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and prevention of further events.
• Epilepsy: diagnostic assessment and selection or adjustment of antiseizure medication.
• Cognitive impairment and dementia: assessment and ongoing management.
• Chronic pain conditions: with pain medicine and other specialists involved when appropriate.

Specialist management of epilepsy, dementia, and cerebrovascular disease is available with Dr. Lénia Silva in Porto. In Lisbon, Dr. Olga Sulimko evaluates neurological symptoms within her scope of practice, provides treatment, and arranges specialist referral when needed.

Porto: Dr. Lénia Silva, Neurologist

Dr. Lénia Silva, Portuguese Medical Association registration no. 68340, completed her neurology residency at ULS de Santo António in Porto. She holds national and international certification in neurosonology. She sees adults and adolescents ages 15 and older, in person and online.

Her main clinical interests include headache disorders, cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, and dementia. She also evaluates dizziness, sensory changes, tremor, gait problems, and sleep disorders. Consultations are available in English and Portuguese.

Ultrasound and Procedures Available With Dr. Silva

• Carotid and vertebral artery duplex ultrasound: assessment of the arteries in the neck.
• Transcranial Doppler ultrasound: assessment of blood flow in the arteries inside the skull.
• Basal ganglia ultrasound: transcranial sonographic assessment of brain structures.
• Therapeutic nerve blocks: the appropriate procedure is selected according to the clinical indication and location of pain.

Dr. Silva performs these ultrasound examinations herself at UMC Porto. Ultrasound and nerve blocks are billed separately from the consultation.

View Dr. Lénia Silva's profile and book an appointment

Lisbon: Dr. Olga Sulimko, General Practitioner With a Background in Neurology

Dr. Olga Sulimko, Portuguese Medical Association registration no. 77915, trained and practiced as a neurologist in Ukraine. In Portugal, she is licensed as a general practitioner. At UMC, she offers consultations focused on neurological concerns for adults and adolescents ages 16 and older, in person and online.

Her clinical focus includes headaches, acute and chronic pain, dizziness, numbness, sleep problems, tremor, and follow-up after a stroke. She also sees patients with anxiety, panic attacks, and associated autonomic symptoms, and evaluates other neurological concerns. She speaks English, Portuguese, Russian, and Ukrainian.

Consultations and therapeutic nerve blocks are available in Lisbon. Dr. Sulimko does not perform ultrasound examinations. Nerve blocks are billed separately.

View Dr. Olga Sulimko's profile and book an appointment

Coordinated Care Across Specialties

When your care would benefit from another specialist's expertise, your doctor can arrange a joint consultation, discuss your case with colleagues, convene a multidisciplinary case review, or refer you for a separate appointment.

In both Lisbon and Porto, our team includes:

• pain medicine specialists;
• physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists), offering consultations and recommendations for recovery;
• psychiatrists and psychotherapists;
• orthopedic specialists;
• physicians who perform diagnostic ultrasound.

Ophthalmologists and rheumatologists are also available in Lisbon. This collaborative approach helps us consider related health conditions and coordinate recommendations across specialties.

All doctors and clinic staff speak English. For Russian-speaking patients, a medical coordinator provides free interpretation in both locations, with no advance request required.

Your Appointment and Further Testing

Your doctor reviews your symptoms, medical history, previous test results, and medications. An in-person visit includes a clinical examination, followed by an explanation of the findings and a discussion of testing, treatment, and follow-up.

If you need an EEG, electromyography and nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS), MRI, or CT scan, we provide a referral to a partner diagnostic center and help schedule the appointment. Bring any existing medical reports, test results, and a medication list. You do not need to arrange new tests before your visit unless instructed to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from a primary care doctor?

No. You can book directly with UMC online. A GP or primary care referral is not required to access the clinic. Your insurance plan may have its own requirements for coverage.

How soon can I get an appointment?

Clinics run several times a week. Check the online booking system for the next available appointment or contact our team for help.

How much does a consultation cost?

Consultations cost €120 in either city. Ultrasound, nerve blocks, and other procedures are charged separately. Medical coordinator interpretation is free.

Can I have an online consultation from another city?

Yes. Both doctors offer online consultations to patients in cities across Europe to discuss symptoms, test results, and treatment. Your doctor will let you know if an in-person examination is needed.

Do you accept insurance and self-pay patients?

Yes. We welcome insured and self-pay patients. Our administrative team can help clarify the arrangements for your insurance plan.

Book Your Appointment Online

Book through the UMC website and choose your doctor, location, and preferred available time. If you are unsure which appointment to select, our English-speaking team can help based on the patient's age and reason for the visit.