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Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team May 4, 2026

Over the last two decades, the number of people with diabetes has increased by 20 percent in the U.S. All told, more than 40 million Americans have diabetes — and the numbers keep rising. The majority (over 90 percent) have Type 2 diabetes. Wit....
- 9732 Views
Kidneys: The Chemical Factories of the Human Body

BCBSIL Connect Team May 4, 2026

The body is one complicated machine. Everything is connected. Everything works (or is supposed to, anyway) in harmony. Many times, when you're diagnosed with an illness, it’s important to address and treat it properly so other parts of your bo.....
- 11893 Views
A Hug Only Takes 10 Seconds, Yet the Benefits Last Forever

BCBSIL Connect Team April 13, 2026

Fun fact about hugs: They don’t just give you a warm, fuzzy sense of well-being — they can also be good for your health. It’s true. Hugging for just 10 seconds can boost feel-good hormones like oxytocin. Often called the “love...
- 73326 Views
Three Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

BCBSIL Connect Team April 6, 2026

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...
- 9693 Views
The Impact of Stress if You Have Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team April 3, 2026

Traffic was a beast. You lost your phone. A few zeros seem to be missing from your bank balance. When you feel stressed, your body produces two hormones that raise your blood sugar — adrenaline and cortisol. Both are linked to the bod...
- 25044 Views
Healthy Gut, Healthy Life?

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

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...
- 20198 Views
Staying Healthy Before, During and After Pregnancy

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Taking care of your health is always important. But it takes on a new level of importance when a baby enters the picture. It’s important to step up your self-care while you’re trying to get pregnant, during your pregnancy and after you g...
- 89741 Views
Minutes of Movement Add Up to a Better Life

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Not being active can be dangerous for your health. Inactivity raises the chance of getting serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Yet 1 in 2 adults — and 77 percent of high school students — don’t get enough physic...
- 31602 Views
Is Your Blood Pressure Being Measured Correctly?

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a serious health problem that often has no symptoms. Often called "the silent killer" it doesn't always have symptoms. You can have high blood pressure for years and not even know it. It’s impor....
- 20672 Views
Checking Your Blood Pressure Could Save Your Life

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

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.....
- 71238 Views
What Does Your Thyroid Do?

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck that makes and releases certain hormones. Its main job is to control your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. Sometimes the thyroid doesn’t work as it should.....
- 6023 Views
Learn About Different Levels of Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026

Would you know what to do if a friend or family member needed help with a mental health or substance use issue? What kind of help would they need? Who could help? Not knowing what to do can be scary and confusing. But there are many things you can...
- 40388 Views
Are You Paralyzed by Social Anxiety? Learn the Best Ways to Manage It.

BCBSIL Connect Team March 31, 2026

Do you have a friend who always bails when you make plans? They may not be trying to avoid you. Sometime this can happen when people have social anxiety. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a long-term mental health issue. It...
- 17584 Views
Be an Advocate for Your Own Care

BCBSIL Connect Team March 24, 2026

Prevention is an important part of being healthy. That can mean having a yearly exam. It can mean having routine screening tests that can help spot many potential problems before they become serious health issues. Whether you’re making sure to ....
- 11810 Views
Colon Cancer: Know the Warning Signs

BCBSIL Connect Team March 21, 2026

No one likes to talk about colon cancer. And that’s OK, as long as you take steps to protect yourself. After all, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. And, nearly one half (45%) of new colon cance...
- 9340 Views