• Make Your Health a Priority with Preventive Care

    Blogs: Make Your Health a Priority with Preventive Care

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    You owe it to yourself to take care of your health. One good place to start is by scheduling your yearly preventive health care exam. Preventive care is very important for people of all ages. Scheduling an annual preventive care visit will give you a...
  • End Your Energy Slump

    Blogs: End Your Energy Slump

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Do you sometimes feel like the energy has just drained from your body? You’re not the only one feeling more tired, more often. Many people have lifestyles that lead to frequently feeling tired. There are simple steps you can take to have more e...
  • Winterize Your Exercise, Indoors and Out

    Blogs: Winterize Your Exercise, Indoors and Out

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Has old man winter blown away some of your exercise motivation? Even though it’s cold outside, your muscles still need to feel the burn. You can beat midwinter workout blahs by switching things up. Just 30 minutes of moderate activity most days...
  • Managing Diabetes? You Have a Partner Who Can Help

    Blogs: Managing Diabetes? You Have a Partner Who Can Help

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    If you’re living with diabetes, think of your primary care provider (PCP) as your partner in taking charge of your health. You can work together to successfully manage your diabetes so you can stay healthier. It’s important to get the reg...
  • Keep Your Member ID Card Close

    Blogs: Keep Your Member ID Card Close

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    It might be a thin piece of plastic tucked in your wallet until you need it. Or it might be something you find in an app on your phone. Either way, your member ID card packs a wallop. What else holds everything you need to take care of your health? W...
  • Who Makes Decisions About My Health Care?

    Blogs: Who Makes Decisions About My Health Care?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    This article is intended for HMO members enrolled in an employer health insurance plan. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois provides coverage for your health care. But you and your doctor are in the best position to make decisions about treatment....
  • What Is Diabetes?

    Blogs: What Is Diabetes?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Diabetes is taking a serious toll on our nation. About 38 million Americans suffer from the life-threatening disease — and the numbers keep growing. With diabetes, the body can no longer make enough insulin or use the insulin it does make to c...
  • 5 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

    Blogs: 5 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    While `tis the season to be jolly, for many of us the holiday season can also be a stressful time. With all the pressure to cook, gather and shop, it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed during the holidays. The weight of stress can affect our heal...
  • Why Is It Important To Donate Platelets?

    Blogs: Why Is It Important To Donate Platelets?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Blood platelet transfusions can save the lives of people with low platelet counts or malfunctioning platelets, says the American Red Cross. What Are Platelets? Platelets are tiny cells that flow through your blood. Their main job is to prevent and st...
  • Donating Blood: Common Myths Debunked

    Blogs: Donating Blood: Common Myths Debunked

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Blood donations save lives, and the need for blood has never been greater. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets, says the American Red Cross. More people, more illness, even more natural disasters around the world mean we n...
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    Get the Facts About Hypertension

    Hypertension is a condition better known as high blood pressure. It occurs when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. Over time if left untreated, it can cause several serious health problems: Kidney...
    • 12729 Views
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    Aclaremos las cosas: La verdad sobre los cigarrillos electrónicos, el vapeo y el tabaquismo

    Muchas personas, en su mayoría adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, creen que usar cigarrillos electrónicos les hará lucir más distinguidos. También suelen pensar que son una opción más saludable que...
    • 3889 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/women-cancer-prevention.jpg

    Las mujeres pueden reducir el riesgo de padecer cáncer

    Cuidarte a ti misma para reducir las probabilidades de padecer cáncer es un gran objetivo de salud. Pero, ¿exactamente cómo puedes lograrlo? La atención médica preventiva, incluidos los exámenes preventivos, ...
    • 36 Views
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    What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

    Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors that can trigger a trio of life-threatening diseases. You are more likely to have it if you are overweight or don’t get enough exercise. About one out of every three adults in the U.S. have it. &ldquo....
    • 6510 Views
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    How Bystanders Can Help Stop Bullying

    Bystanders can play a key role in stopping bullying — both in school and online. Help your kids learn what it means to stand up for someone who is bullied. Sadly, bullying among kids and teens is still very common in the U.S. About 20% of all s....
    • 7497 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/GetYourEnergyBack.jpg

    What Can You Do to Get Your Energy Back?

    Feel like the energy has just drained out of your body? Your habits and routine may be behind your fatigue. The good news is that you can make changes to beat some common energy zappers. And unless your lack of energy stems from an injury or health...
    • 23520 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/Diabetes-and-depression.jpg

    El vínculo entre la diabetes y la depresión

    La salud mental involucra muchas partes de la vida diaria. Afecta los pensamientos y las emociones, y cómo controlas el estrés, te relacionas con otros y tomas decisiones. La salud general incluye los pensamientos y las emociones. No es...
    • 4510 Views
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    The Link Between Diabetes and Depression

    Your mental health touches so many parts of your daily life. It affects how you think and feel, handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Your thoughts and feelings affect how healthy you are. It isn’t surprising that having a mental .....
    • 14029 Views
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    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...
    • 12499 Views
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    Autism Spectrum Disorder and Your Child: What You Need to Know

    Parenting means helping your children grow, develop and navigate the world. It’s no different for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Yet they face a unique set of challenges. Taking action early can make a real difference in nav....
    • 10641 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/WomenCoughing.jpg

    Clear the Air: The Truth About E-Cigarettes, Vaping and Smoking

    Many people, mostly teens and young adults, think using e-cigs will make them look more stylish. They also often think they are a healthier choice than smoking cigarettes. Whether they look like cigarettes, pipes, pens or lipstick holders, they all...
    • 16340 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/fat-around-middle-banner.jpg

    Watch Your Waist: Fat Around the Middle Can Be Dangerous

    We all know that carrying extra weight is not healthy. But do you know that where you carry your weight matters? It turns out that not all fat is the same. Fat at the waistline can indicate an increased risk for some serious health problems. Visceral...
    • 24249 Views
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    Get a Mammogram: Early Detection Saves Lives

    Finding breast cancer early is the best way to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Getting regular screening tests is the best way to find breast cancer early. About 1 in 8 American women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. Each year...
    • 43887 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...
    • 21085 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/cold-flu-allergies-COVID.jpg

    Is It Cold, Flu, Allergies or COVID-19?

    If you have sniffles, sneezes, coughing or sore throat, it can be hard to tell if your symptoms are from allergies, a cold, the flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Until you know for sure what’s causing your symptoms, it’s always good to err on the sid...
    • 54727 Views

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