• Demystifying Bipolar Disorder

    Blogs: Demystifying Bipolar Disorder

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Some of television’s most popular characters have struggled with bipolar disorder. In the throes of a manic episode, a CIA agent pins a spiderweb of red string across photos on a wall. It looks like a frenzied mess to anyone on the outside look...
  • Prevent Gum Disease for a Healthy Heart

    Blogs: Prevent Gum Disease for a Healthy Heart

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    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. With gum disease, inflammation not only puts the mouth at risk, but can be a danger to the heart. Links have also ...
  • How to Stay in Shape on Vacation

    Blogs: How to Stay in Shape on Vacation

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Vacations are all about fun and getting away from our everyday routines. So, your normal exercise routine may not be a high priority when you want to chill. It’s understandable. Still, even when you’re away from home, it’s easy to r...
  • Syndrome X: Are You at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome?

    Blogs: Syndrome X: Are You at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Metabolic syndrome, also called syndrome X, may sound like a super-secret plan in a spy movie. It’s actually more dangerous. The syndrome is a set of risk factors that can trigger a trio of life-threatening diseases. “Metabolic" refers to...
  • The Battle of BMI

    Blogs: The Battle of BMI

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Is body mass index (BMI) the best way to tell if you are an ideal weight or even healthy? BMI measures your body fat. It uses your weight and height to come up with a BMI number. Using this number, you and your doctor can tell if you might have a we...
  • Your Child’s Asthma Care: Build a Team

    Blogs: Your Child’s Asthma Care: Build a Team

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    They say it takes a village to raise a child. When the child has asthma, it takes a “village” of health experts. This health team will help your child manage their symptoms and live a normal, active life. Good communication with your chil...
  • Only You Can Prevent Gum Disease

    Blogs: Only You Can Prevent Gum Disease

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    The world may see your friendly smile, but what’s going on behind it? The inside of your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. Along with tooth decay, gum disease can boost your risk for tooth loss and serious illnesses if not kept in check. G...
  • Seven Facts About Hepatitis C

    Blogs: Seven Facts About Hepatitis C

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    You’ve probably heard about hepatitis C in the news. It’s the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. Because it can be easily spread, it's importance to understand the virus and ways you can protect yourself.  What Is...
  • Tips for a Safe July 4th

    Blogs: Tips for a Safe July 4th

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Celebrating the Fourth of July and the birth of our nation’s independence is the most anticipated holiday of summer. Millions of Americans will head to the beach, lounge by the pool, take in a parade, and of course, celebrate with fireworks. Wh...
  • Food Poisoning: Meaty Madness

    Blogs: Food Poisoning: Meaty Madness

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Summer fun often includes outdoor cookouts. Who doesn’t like good food grilled to perfection? Sadly, food poisoning can make things less appetizing — fast. When temps and spirits are high, so is the risk for food contamination at your wee...
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/doctors_2D00_talk_2D00_about_2D00_your_2D00_care.jpg

    Tus médicos necesitan hablar entre ellos sobre tu atención médica

    Tú y tu doctor de cabecera (PCP por sus siglas en inglés) trabajan juntos para asegurar de que estes en la mejor salud posible. Es una calle de doble sentido. Tu doctor utiliza su capacitación y sus conocimientos para guiarte. Pe...
    • 2159 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/7382.child-mental-health.jpg

    Is Your Child Struggling with Mental Health Issues?

    Children have a lot on their minds. They’re always learning new things and facing challenges they’ve never handled before. You know your child best. You can support them now and in the future by showing them ways to build good menta...
    • 76574 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/5557.stretch.jpg

    Ease Your Joint Pain

    Aches and pains happen. You sit too much and your back hurts. You get up and down a lot and your knees hurt. Or your neck or hips ache regularly. These aches and pains in your joints or back are common. A joint is the connection between two bones...
    • 71627 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-12/safe_2D00_from_2D00_scammers.jpg

    ¿Sabes cómo mantenerte a salvo de los estafadores?

    Los estafadores siempre buscan nuevas maneras de robar tu información personal y tu dinero. Por eso, es una buena idea desconfiar de los extraños para protegerte de las estafas. Probablemente, ya sabes que no debes abrir mensajes de tex...
    • 3666 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-11/everything-prepare-buy-health-insurance.jpg

    Prepárate para el Período de inscripción abierta

    Juntar la información que necesitas antes del inicio del Periodo de inscripción abierta ayuda a simplificar todo el proceso. Si divides la tarea en pasos fáciles de manejar, incluso puedes ahorrarte algunas preocupacion...
    • 3931 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-04/everything-prepare-buy-health-insurance.jpg

    Get Ready for Open Enrollment

    If you want to buy a new individual and family health plan or choose a different one, get the details you need before open enrollment starts on Nov. 1. Break the task into easy-to-handle steps. Keep the Deadlines in Mind Open enrollment ends Jan...
    • 36848 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/yearly-health-screenings.jpg

    Have You Had Your Health Screenings This Year?

    Your annual wellness visit and health screenings play an important role in catching small health problems before they become big ones. Add your annual exam and health screenings to your to-do list to make sure they get done. If you still need some...
    • 20449 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/caregiver.jpg

    Take Care of Yourself When You Take Care of Others

    Look around and you’re bound to see a lot of caregivers. In the U.S., one in three adults care for others. They may be caring for elderly parents, a sick spouse or disabled child. Being a caregiver can be stressful and demanding. It often lead.....
    • 6368 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/prescriptions.jpg

    Cómo un medicamento se convierte en genérico: mitos y verdades

    Tomar un medicamento genérico no es como comprar un jabón de una marca genérica de una tienda específica. Con el jabón, es posible que notes algunas diferencias. Por ejemplo, puede oler diferente y es posible que te...
    • 4233 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/Washing-Hands_5F00_Connect_5F00_Image_5F00_3.jpg

    Soap vs. Sanitizer: Is There a Hands-Down Winner for Getting Clean?

    Germs. They’re everywhere you don’t want them to be. You can’t see them, but they’re waiting. Germs are lurking on the handrail of every stairway you use. The same handrail a woman gripped right after coughing into her hand. N...
    • 7025 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/BHGettyImages_2D00_946931016.jpg

    Reaching Out Can Make You Feel Better

    Loneliness hurts. People often feel isolated or wish they had more friends. Those feelings happen to people of all ages, even if they are busy and spend time around people. Studies show relationships are key for overall wellbeing. People ...
    • 6098 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/vaping-vs-smoking.jpg

    ¿Vapear es tan malo para tu salud como fumar?

    Una de las peores cosas que puedes hacer por tus pulmones y tu salud en general es fumar. Pero muchos aún no saben que vapear también es peligroso. Aunque los expertos expresaron su preocupación desde el principio, no todos recib...
    • 2855 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/cold_2D00_flu_2D00_allergies_2D00_covid.jpg

    ¿Es un resfriado, alergia o COVID-19?

    Si estás resfriado, estornudando, tosiendo o con dolor de garganta, puede ser difícil saber si son los síntomas de alergia, resfriado, gripe, COVID-19 o virus respiratorio sincitial (RSV, en inglés). Hasta que no sepas con...
    • 796 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/NEW-COPD.jpg

    COPD: When Lungs Break, the Heart Often Follows

    “To breathe is to live, and without breath there is no life.” The mantra is a basic tenet of yoga. Nothing is clearer for those who struggle to breathe. If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), every breath can be ...
    • 20136 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-05/banner_5F00_preservice_5F00_reviews.jpg

    Your Doctor Helps Make Sure Your Services Are Covered

    Your doctors work closely with your health plan to ensure it covers the care they prescribe. As a smart health care consumer, it’s good to know about all the steps your care provider takes so you can get the most out of your health plan when yo....
    • 13361 Views

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation,
a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

© Copyright 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Verint is an operating division of Verint Americas, Inc., an independent company that provides and hosts an online community platform for blogging and access to social media for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

Adobe pdf icon File is in portable document format (PDF). To view this file, you may need to install a PDF reader program. Most PDF readers are a free download. One option is Adobe® Reader® which has a built-in screen reader. Other Adobe accessibility tools and information can be downloaded at https://access.adobe.com.

leaving site icon You are leaving this website/app ("site"). This new site may be offered by a vendor or an independent third party. The site may also contain non-Medicare related information. Some sites may require you to agree to their terms of use and privacy policy.

Powered by Verint