• 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...
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    Consejos tenebrosamente buenos para tener un Halloween saludable y seguro

    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...
    • 369 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/8422.social.jpg

    Bienestar social: ¿el ajetreo conduce a la soledad?

    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...
    • 3576 Views
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    Social Well-Being: Is Your Busyness Leading to Loneliness?

    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 ...
    • 5012 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/heart-rate.jpg

    What Can Your Heart Rate Tell You About Your Health?

    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...
    • 6393 Views
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    How Do I Buy an Individual Health Insurance Plan?

    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...
    • 18093 Views
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    Living With Diabetes? Find Big Eats on a Small Grocery Budget

    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...
    • 7177 Views
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    Postpartum Health

    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...
    • 2880 Views
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    How to Get the Most Out of Your Medicare Advantage Plan

    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...
    • 11664 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-17/medicare_2D00_adults.jpg

    Diabetes and the Risk for Kidney Disease

    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...
    • 3338 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/BrandS_2D00_illness.jpg

    Don't Let the Seasonal Flu Get You

    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...
    • 3517 Views
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    Behavioral Health: Peeling Back the Onion

    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...
    • 20028 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/plan-manage-asthma.jpg

    Ten un plan para controlar el asma

    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...
    • 2587 Views
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    Cancer, Courage and Compassion: A Tale of Two Sisters

    When someone is diagnosed with an illness, it can turn their entire family upside down. Sometimes it’s a wake-up call. Sometimes it’s the catalyst that brings a family closer together. Tamara admits she and her three siblings weren’...
    • 11124 Views
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    Cómo prevenir un ataque al corazón

    La mejor manera de sobrevivir un ataque al corazón es evitándolo. ¿Cómo se puede evitar ser uno de los millones de estadounidenses que sufren un ataque al corazón? En realidad, se puede hacer mucho para proteger el ...
    • 3551 Views
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    Cómo apoyar a un ser querido con cáncer

    “Tengo cáncer”. Son dos palabras que nunca querrás escuchar de un amigo, un familiar o tu pareja. Enterarte de que un ser querido padece cáncer puede ser abrumador y generar miedo. Es probable que tengas muchas pregu...
    • 7576 Views

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