Connect Community - BCBSIL

Blogs: What Happens When Your Doctor Recommends Physical Therapy

BCBSIL Connect Team

You probably do your best to stay in shape. Maybe a burst of new motivation inspired you to ramp things up a bit — even add another activity to your regular workout routine. In your enthusiasm, maybe you charged full speed ahead instead of star...
- June 22, 2023
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...
- June 21, 2023
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 ...
- June 21, 2023
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...
- June 21, 2023
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...
- June 16, 2023
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...
- June 16, 2023
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...
- June 15, 2023
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...
- June 13, 2023
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...
- June 12, 2023
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...
- June 9, 2023

How Does a Drug Become a Generic: Facts vs. Myths

BCBSIL Connect Team October 28, 2024

Taking a generic drug is not like buying a store-brand soap. With soap, you might notice a difference. It may smell different. You may need to use more than the brand-name product. That is not true with generic drugs. When companies make a bran...
- 18027 Views
Follow 4 Simple Steps to Put Your Family on a Healthy Path

BCBSIL Connect Team October 24, 2024

It’s never too early to teach kids about healthy habits. Setting good habits when they’re young puts them on the path toward a healthier life. Many children are not off to a good start. About 1 in 5 American children are obese, says the C...
- 11734 Views
More than Muscle: How Men Can Exercise Their Way to Better Health

BCBSIL Connect Team October 24, 2024

Men face some serious health risks. Heart disease and cancer account for nearly 40 percent of deaths among American men. Unintentional injuries like falls are also a common cause of death for men. Lung disease and stroke account for another 10 percen...
- 27445 Views
Consejos tenebrosamente buenos para tener un Halloween saludable y seguro

EquipoConnect October 23, 2024

Por lo general, las palabras “saludable” y “Halloween” no van juntas, por razones obvias. Halloween es la única época del año en que los niños se sienten libres de comer tantas golosinas como puedan...
- 377 Views
Bienestar social: ¿el ajetreo conduce a la soledad?

EquipoConnect October 23, 2024

A los estadounidenses les encanta estar ocupados. Por desgracia, hacer malabares para mantener el trabajo, la familia y las tareas domésticas implica que la persona promedio “trabaja” 60 horas o más por semana. No es de...
- 3582 Views
Social Well-Being: Is Your Busyness Leading to Loneliness?

BCBSIL Connect Team October 23, 2024

Americans love to be busy. Unfortunately, juggling our jobs, families and home chores means the average person “works” 60 or more hours each week. No wonder people just want to plop down on the sofa and binge watch their favorite TV show ...
- 5018 Views
What Can Your Heart Rate Tell You About Your Health?

BCBSIL Connect Team October 21, 2024

Your heart rate is always changing. It’s up when you’re walking. Down when you’re sitting still. But what can it tell you about your overall health? Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Your heart rate...
- 6412 Views
How Do I Buy an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

BCBSIL Connect Team October 21, 2024

There are two times when you can buy health insurance — during open enrollment and special enrollment. Open enrollment starts on Nov. 1 each year. Any other sign-up time falls under special enrollment . To buy health insurance during speci...
- 18127 Views
Living With Diabetes? Find Big Eats on a Small Grocery Budget

BCBSIL Connect Team October 21, 2024

Food choices are so important when diabetes is part of your day-to-day life. Here’s something to keep in mind: The best healthy meal plan for those living with diabetes isn’t very different from one for people without diabetes. Our bodies...
- 7191 Views
Postpartum Health

BCBSIL Connect Team October 19, 2024

The days and weeks after giving birth are often a happy time. They're also a period of adjustment and healing for mothers. While you bond with your baby, make time for a post-delivery checkup with your provider. Your doctor plays an important role...
- 2890 Views
How to Get the Most Out of Your Medicare Advantage Plan

BCBSIL Connect Team October 18, 2024

Welcome to Medicare Advantage . We’re glad you’re a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage member. Ready to make the most of your health care plan? Start with these steps: Plan your Annual Wellness Visit. With no copay and no cost to you...
- 11681 Views
Diabetes and the Risk for Kidney Disease

BCBSIL Connect Team October 18, 2024

If you have diabetes , you may not know about an important measure to protect your kidneys. What do your kidneys have to do with diabetes? It turns out, people living with diabetes have a higher risk of kidney disease. More than 35 million adults...
- 3359 Views
Don't Let the Seasonal Flu Get You

BCBSIL Connect Team October 16, 2024

Getting a flu shot can help you stay healthy. Flu season usually starts in October and peaks between December and February. As many have learned, it can linger through the spring. If you didn't get a flu shot before the start of the season, ask your...
- 3530 Views
Behavioral Health: Peeling Back the Onion

BCBSIL Connect Team October 15, 2024

It is an understatement to say humans are complex creatures. So many factors affect who we are. Genetics, upbringing, our environment, family dynamics, friendships, love and work relationships — and, yes, even our behaviors. They’re all t...
- 20045 Views
Ten un plan para controlar el asma

EquipoConnect October 8, 2024

Si tienes asma, puedes ayudar a controlarla. Colabora con el médico para crear un plan para combatir el asma . Asegúrate de estar haciendo todo lo posible para controlar este padecimiento. Si tienes medicamentos, tómalos co...
- 2595 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.

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.

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