Connect Community

Wait, That's Sugar, Too?

BCBSIL Connect Team February 5, 2024

If you’re trying to watch your weight, chances are you’ve indulged in something sweet with a sugar substitute. It seems like a good way to enjoy a treat without all the calories, right? These sugar substitutes are often made from high-int...
- 6154 Views
Living with Diabetes? Learn More About What It Means

BCBSIL Connect Team January 19, 2024

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (sugar). Our bodies use this sugar to fuel our cells with the energy they need to work the right way. It’s a fine balance, though. When blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, it ca...
- 5874 Views
Asthma Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors

BCBSIL Connect Team January 12, 2024

The number of children with asthma has risen dramatically in the past few decades. With the wheezing comes worrying. Could your child be the one who is touched by this common chronic disease? Here’s what parents need to k...
- 15152 Views
Know Your Numbers for Healthier Living

BCBSIL Connect Team January 10, 2024

If you have high cholesterol, there are ways you can lower it. When you do, you help reduce your risks for heart problems. You also boost your chances for living a longer, healthier life. What’s the first step? Work closely with your doctor. T.....
- 12285 Views
Supporting a Loved One with Cancer

BCBSIL Connect Team January 8, 2024

“I have cancer.” They are three words you never want to hear from a friend, family member or significant other. Learning that a loved one has cancer can be very overwhelming and scary. You probably have a ton of questions you want to ask...
- 13623 Views
Three Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

BCBSIL Connect Team January 2, 2024

Teens are facing more challenges than ever. There’s pressure from school, friends and social media. No wonder their mental health can suffer. You don’t have to wait until your teen is in crisis to talk about it. Talk to your teen early an...
- 9179 Views
Get Big Benefits From a Small Weight Loss

BCBSIL Connect Team December 5, 2023

Some small changes can have a big payoff. That’s true when it comes to losing weight. If you're carrying extra weight, dropping even 5 percent of your weight can be good for your health. That level of weight loss can help lower your risk of chr....
- 70079 Views
How Fiber Keeps Your Brain and Heart in Shape

BCBSIL Connect Team December 1, 2023

Just about everyone knows eating fiber is the key to keeping you, um…regular. That's just one benefit of the food voted “Most Likely to Make a Middle Schooler Snicker.” It’s true. High fiber foods make you poop. They also mak...
- 9206 Views
Are You Dehydrated?

BCBSIL Connect Team October 26, 2023

Your body doesn’t work well when it’s low on fluids. When it loses more water than it takes in, you may have dehydration, which can lead to some serious health problems. You might not know when you’re dehydrated. But it could be beh...
- 15903 Views
Mind Your Food for Better Brain Health

BCBSIL Connect Team October 25, 2023

You’ve probably heard about foods that are good for your brain. But can you also harm your brain with what you eat? Our brains work better when we eat nutrient-rich food. So yes, there are foods that are bad for your brain. The best foods for ....
- 12006 Views
Be an Advocate for Your Own Care

BCBSIL Connect Team October 16, 2023

Prevention is an important part of being healthy. That can mean having a yearly exam. It can mean having routine screening tests. When an illness can’t be avoided, stepping up to help direct your own health care is critical. Get Involved in You....
- 11065 Views
Every Breath You Take

BCBSIL Connect Team October 5, 2023

Your home may be warm and cozy, but is it good for your lungs? People tend to take their lungs for granted. We know we can’t live without them, but we don’t spend much time taking care of them. But as outdoor activities give way to indoo...
- 13676 Views
Healthy Gut, Healthy Life?

BCBSIL Connect Team September 28, 2023

You may have heard that your gut is your second brain. The saying gives a sense of how vital your digestive system is to the rest of your body. But what does it mean? A network of hundreds of millions of nerve cells called neurons line the gut, or...
- 19186 Views
Create a Routine for Better Sleep

BCBSIL Connect Team September 28, 2023

Most Americans have some type of trouble with sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 3 American adults say they’re not getting enough sleep every day. And millions of Americans have chronic sleep disorders....
- 8444 Views
Find Out If a Low-Intensity Workout Is Right for You

BCBSIL Connect Team August 30, 2023

Many people learned how to get their exercise without classes or gym workouts during the pandemic. Some turned to low-intensity workouts, and they haven’t gone back. There are benefits to stepping away from the “no pain, no gain” ap...
- 7318 Views