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Bipolar Disorder Explained

BCBSIL Connect Team August 11, 2025

About 6 million adults, teens and children have bipolar disorder (BD) in the U.S. It’s often diagnosed before the age of 25, and once it is, BD doesn’t go away. Not All BD Is the Same There are actually four types of BD. With&n...
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Four Hispanic Medical Pioneers Who Made Our Lives Better

BCBSIL Connect Team August 8, 2025

They were pioneers, risk takers and dedicated physicians determined to contribute something to the world that was greater than themselves. During Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), we celebrate the lives and legacies...
- 3821 Views
Shingles: The Sleeping Virus

BCBSIL Connect Team August 6, 2025

You may have heard shingles is a painful rash that is more common among older adults. What you may not know is what causes it, how many people suffer with it and how you can protect yourself. An estimated 1 million Americans will have a bout with...
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Good Gum Care May Help Manage Diabetes

BCBSIL Connect Team July 30, 2025

If you have diabetes, even your mouth is affected. Regular dental care and managing your blood sugar level go hand in hand to keep both your body and mouth healthy. Gum Disease and Blood Sugar Levels Gum disease — also called periodontal diseas....
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Women Can Lower Their Risk for Cancer

BCBSIL Connect Team July 25, 2025

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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How Talking About Suicide Can Help

BCBSIL Connect Team July 25, 2025

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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Protect Yourself from Cervical Cancer with a Simple Test

BCBSIL Connect Team July 25, 2025

We’ve all heard the old proverb: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Translated, it simply means catching health issues early is best. Many preventive services covered under your health plan help do just that. Three&nbsp...
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Protect Your Skin While Enjoying the Sunshine

BCBSIL Connect Team July 25, 2025

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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Don’t Let the Flu Sneak Up on You

BCBSIL Connect Team July 25, 2025

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...
- 37865 Views
Tired of Allergies? Take These Steps

BCBSIL Connect Team July 25, 2025

Are the sneezes, sniffles, scratchy throat and itchy eyes from seasonal allergies getting you down? It may be time to step up your treatment. Fighting Fall Allergies Seasonal allergies are always around. But based on what triggers your allergies...
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What Is Schizophrenia and How Is It Treated?

BCBSIL Connect Team July 23, 2025

You may have heard about schizophrenia, but do you really know what it is? Schizophrenia is a long-term and serious mental health issue. It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. Below are some common warning signs of the issue that....
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Get Ready for School with a Four-Step Asthma Action Plan

BCBSIL Connect Team July 23, 2025

Each new school year, you take steps to get your child ready to go back to the classroom. But if your child has asthma, back-to-school prep has one more layer. About 4.9 million children under 18 in the U.S. struggle with asthma, says the Asthma...
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What Does Your Thyroid Do?

BCBSIL Connect Team July 21, 2025

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.....
- 4773 Views
Preventing Decay with Dental Sealants

BCBSIL Connect Team July 15, 2025

Tooth decay is the most common ongoing childhood disease in the United States. Nearly half of all children between six and eight years old have cavities, which can cause pain and infections. If untreated, cavities can also lead to problems eating...
- 7116 Views
Prevent Gum Disease for a Healthy Heart

BCBSIL Connect Team July 2, 2025

What do your gums and your heart have in common? Studies show people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease. Gum disease causes inflammation, which can be a danger to the heart. Links have also been found between gum diseas...
- 6285 Views