Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Ask the Doc, Primary Care
“How much water should you drink a day? It’s a question that we commonly get asked. Most adults are under-hydrated. We simply don’t drink enough water. Or you’re not thinking about it. We think we are. But when we actually sit down and count of how much water we drink, it is often times not nearly enough. In terms of how much water should you drink a day, an easy goal is that your urine should kind of look like water. The moment your urine starts to get deep yellow in color, it’s your body telling you that your urine is very concentrated, and that you need to be drinking more. What number should I think of? An easy number to remember is about two liters of water a day. That’s about four small bottles of water that we commonly buy on the street. Each bottled water typically is about half a liter. So get four of those throughout the day. It’s really important to stay hydrated throughout the day. If come bedtime you’re trying to catch up and you chug a lot of water, you’re probably just going to urinate that out. So the key is to stay hydrated throughout the day. Try to get somewhere close to two liters throughout the day, and that should be enough.”
David Coun, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and Chief of Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights. He has lectured regularly on various topics, including smoking cessation, prostatic conditions, EKG review, and physician communication skills. Dr. Coun is fluent in Spanish and has a particular interest in prevention, as well as, the intersection between mental health and chronic medical conditions. Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights is a two-floor practice with a walk-in urgent care center and more than 35 specialties. Located at 300 Cadman Plaza West, the practice is situated on the 17th and 18th floors.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Tips, Primary Care
Welcome back to Mount Sinai Queens’ brand new blog featuring useful news and tips to help you lead a healthier life. I am Dr. Sarah Van Wagner, a board-certified family medicine physician who works at Mount Sinai Queens’ Steinway Medical Group. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
Start with your reason for the visit – write it down and bring it with you. You will often see a medical assistant before you see the doctor. This person may ask about the reason for your visit. Don’t assume the reason was communicated. By stating your reason to both the doctor and the medical assistant, you are all in agreement for why you are there. Whether you say, “I haven’t been to the doctor for a long time and I need a checkup,” or “my kids have strep throat and now I have a sore throat and fever,” agreement on the reason for the visit is a strong start. Think ahead of time about what will leave you feeling highly satisfied after the visit. Let the doctor know this too! (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Tips, Primary Care
Welcome back to Mount Sinai Queens’ brand new blog featuring useful news and tips to help you lead a healthier life. I am Dr. Sarah Van Wagner, a board-certified family medicine physician who works at Mount Sinai Queens’ Steinway Medical Group. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
When you arrive at a new doctor’s office, before you actually see the doctor, the office staff will ask you to fill out paper work to establish your patient chart. At Mount Sinai Queens, this information is entered into an electronic medical record which is designed to follow you through the Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens and Manhattan. Demographics, insurance information, health history including allergies and medications taken are all crucial to a comprehensive chart. The office staff will need to make a copy of your insurance card and need to see identification so be sure and bring those with you. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Tips, Primary Care
Welcome back to Mount Sinai Queens’ brand new blog featuring useful news and tips to help you lead a healthier life. I am Dr. Sarah Van Wagner, a board-certified family medicine physician who works at Mount Sinai Queens’ Steinway Medical Group. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
It is not always easy to stay healthy. Your cubicle mate comes to the office with a bad cold. Your favorite sushi place loses its “A” rating and your digestive system pays the price. Your weekend basketball game includes a bad landing and a sprained ankle…. However, no matter the circumstance, maintaining a healthy foundation will help you stay healthy, and help you recover faster if you get sick or injured. (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Tips, Primary Care
Welcome back to Mount Sinai Queens’ brand new blog featuring useful news and tips to help you lead a healthier life. I am Dr. Sarah Van Wagner, a board-certified family medicine physician who works at Mount Sinai Queens’ Steinway Medical Group. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
You want to enter into a long-term relationship with your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Like any relationship, you should try to find the person that best meets your needs. As I mentioned in my last blog post – there are several different types of doctors who are PCPs: (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cardiology, Diabetes, Health Tips, Heart Disease, Primary Care, Vascular Health
Recent media reports have caused some alarm and confusion about newly published guidelines for statin drugs. Statin drugs reduce cholesterol levels and also decrease cardiac and vascular disease, independent of their cholesterol-lowering effect. Statins provide multiple benefits, but the mechanisms of their actions are not yet fully understood. Like any medication, there is a risk of side effects, which can occur in up to 18 percent of patients and most often consist of muscle pain or temporary derangement of liver function. Rare serious side effects have been described. (more…)
