• https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/sweets.jpg

    Oh, Sugar! Less Is Best for Lower Disease Risk

    You may crave something sugary, but our bodies don’t work best on sweets. Simple sugars, often found in sweets and snack foods, give us “empty” calories. Although they may give us a short-lived energy boost, they mainly add calorie...
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    Kids and Sports Concussions: Things to Know

    We all know that a concussion can be serious, but many of us don’t know its symptoms. Do you know what to do if your child gets one? Young children, teenagers and young adults have a higher risk because their brains are still developing. H...
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    Don’t Be Sidelined by Exercise-Induced Asthma

    David Beckham is one of the best-known soccer players of all time. Roy Hibbert is a two-time NBA All-Star. Swimmer Amy Van Dyken is a six-time Olympic gold medalist. What do these athletes all have in common? They all live with asthma. Be...
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    Try the Mediterranean Lifestyle for Healthy Living

    A warm golden sun. A shimmering blue sea. Meals filled with mouth-watering fresh fruits, earthy whole grains, beans and potatoes. Their distinctive flavors enhanced with local olive oil. Sounds pretty good, right? The people of Ikaria, Greece, enjoy...
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/BrandS_2D00_heart_2D00_disease.jpg

    What Is Heart Disease?

    Heart disease is a leading killer of men and women in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reveals one in four Americans die of heart disease every year. With so much at stake, it’s smart to know the warning signs.....
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/asthma-what-is-it.jpg

    What Exactly Is Asthma?

    In the United States, more than 27 million people have asthma. Nearly 4.5 million of them are children under the age of 18. Why are children so vulnerable? With asthma, the lungs and airways can easily become inflamed. They swell and narr...
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    How Talking About Suicide Can Help

    Talking about suicide is an effective way to help prevent it. But it’s vital to know what to say. We can all help prevent suicide, says 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline . This national network of local crisis centers wants everyone t...
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/diabetes_2D00_complications.jpg

    Protect Yourself with Careful Diabetes Management

    Everything you do to take care of yourself helps you lead a better life. And if you have diabetes, making healthy life choices and working with your doctor can help save you from bigger health problems later. Diabetes is all about blood sugar and...
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/6445.summer.jpg

    Protect Your Skin While Enjoying the Sunshine

    Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Fortunately, most skin cancers are highly treatable when found early. And the best news is that you can take steps to prevent them. That involves protecting your skin and being on the lookout for sk...
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/FightFlu_5F00_311618567.jpg

    Don’t Let the Flu Sneak Up on You

    Many people don’t know that they can get influenza — the respiratory disease we often call the flu — any time of the year. Flu viruses usually peak between December and February . But cases of flu usually start to increas...
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/uv-sunglass-protection.jpg

    Choose the Right Sunglasses to Protect Your Eyes

    Dark sunglasses are more than a stylish accessory. They protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage the retinas. Sun protection for your eyes may not be the first thing you think about before you head outdoors, but it’s just as....
    • 748 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/uv-safety.jpg

    What Is SPF and Which Sunscreen Should I Use?

    Before heading out for a BBQ, a day at the beach, or afternoon by the pool, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. You’ve probably seen them displayed in your local store: sunscreens ...
    • 587 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/women-cancer-prevention.jpg

    Women Can Lower Their Risk for Cancer

    Taking care of yourself to cut your chances of getting cancer is a great health goal. But how exactly can you do that? Preventive care, including health screenings, is the place to start. The aim is to prevent cancer or find it early, when it is...
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/DoctorIpadPatient.jpg

    Six Questions to Ask Your Child’s Doctor About Asthma

    When your child has asthma, you and your doctor are part of a team that helps you care for your child. Before you can offer the right kind of care, you need to confirm that your child does, in fact, have asthma. Coughing, wheezing and shortness of...
    • 10822 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/BHsad.jpg

    Depression: Getting Help

    If you’re one of the many people considering help for depression, your primary care provider is a good place to start. Take the First Step As a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois member, you can start by talking to your doctor or prim...
    • 14381 Views