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Taking Care of Your Kidneys Helps Keep You Healthy

BCBSIL Connect Team April 11, 2025

Kidneys play a big part in your total health. They filter extra water and toxins from your body. They help control blood pressure. And they play a role in making red blood cells and in keeping bones healthy. When your kidneys aren’t working as.....
- 69266 Views
Checking Your Blood Pressure Could Save Your Life

BCBSIL Connect Team April 11, 2025

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do for your health. That’s because high blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems. Near.....
- 56910 Views
Plan Ahead for Safe, Healthy Travels

BCBSIL Connect Team April 10, 2025

There’s nothing like getting away to relax and clear your head. And these breaks away from your routine can improve your health. Even the planning phase can have positive effects. WebMD says getaways or staycations may: Lower your stress level....
- 22283 Views
Oh, My Aching Feet! Caring for Common Foot Problems

BCBSIL Connect Team March 25, 2025

There are lots of different foot problems, some serious and some easy to treat at home. The main thing is to take care of them before they get worse. These are some of the most common foot issues and what to do about them. Arthritis What is it: Arthr...
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Expecting a Baby? Check Out Our Maternity Checklist

BCBSIL Connect Team March 18, 2025

Preparing for the arrival of a little one? Congratulations! You probably have a lot on your mind — and your to-do list. Choosing baby names and setting up a nursery are likely two of them. But there are other things to remember so you can make ....
- 7813 Views
Your Hardworking Lungs Need Protecting

BCBSIL Connect Team March 5, 2025

Your lungs help you breathe. But they do much more. They help you fight infections. They help your other organs work. They do so much for your overall health — and they need your protection. Your lungs are easily harmed. Anything you breathe in....
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What’s Causing Your Tummy Troubles?

BCBSIL Connect Team March 5, 2025

Why does your stomach hurt? It’s a good question — and a common one. Millions of Americans have at least one type of digestive problem. Some problems come and go, while others can upset your whole life. There are many different kinds of d...
- 37728 Views
Help Overcome Opioid Use Disorder with Medication-Assisted Treatment

BCBSIL Connect Team February 21, 2025

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is an ongoing health crisis in the United States that can affect anyone, no matter your race, income level or gender. An estimated 6.1 million people in the U.S. age 12 and older have OUD. The good news is OUD is treatable...
- 2859 Views
Prediabetes: A Wake-Up Call

BCBSIL Connect Team February 21, 2025

More than a third of American adults have high blood sugar, or prediabetes, and the rates are on the rise. Having prediabetes raises your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The good news is that even if you have prediabetes...
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Helping Kids Stay Active and Healthy During Winter

BCBSIL Connect Team February 19, 2025

Don’t put a freeze on family fun this winter. All kids need physical activity to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says young people ages 6 to 17 need 60 minutes of activity daily. For today’s busy kids, on...
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A Closer Look at Type 1 Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team February 14, 2025

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Left unchecked and untreated, both can cause damage to blood vessels, nerves and organs in the body and lead to serious health issues. Diabetes happens in people of every age, race, shape and ...
- 7548 Views
Keep Your Brain and Body Healthy by MINDing What You Eat

BCBSIL Connect Team February 11, 2025

Healthy eating doesn’t need to be hard. You don’t have to spend a lot of time tracking your daily calories or buy special diet products. Just find a healthy approach to what you eat. One easy-to-follow eating plan — the MIND diet &m...
- 30653 Views
What Is an A1C Test, and Why Does It Matter?

BCBSIL Connect Team February 5, 2025

If you have diabetes, you know you need to check your blood sugar regularly. But do you know you also need an A1C test? Blood glucose numbers only give a quick snapshot of blood sugar control at certain times of day. You may think your blood sugar...
- 24128 Views
Keep Your Child Healthy with Regular Well-Child Visits

BCBSIL Connect Team February 5, 2025

Parents take their children to the doctor when they’re sick. But regular well-child visits to a pediatrician or other health provider are just as important. Getting those checkups and recommended vaccinations help keep children healthy. What Is....
- 13327 Views
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team February 5, 2025

Over the last decade, new cases of diabetes have increased 18.6 percent in the U.S., showing the growing impact of the epidemic. All told, more than 38 million Americans have diabetes today — and the numbers keep rising. The majority (about 95 ....
- 8850 Views