Connect Community

Quit Smoking for Good

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

One of the best things you can do for your health is to quit smoking or using any kind of tobacco. Quitting isn’t easy, but the rewards make it worth the effort. Quitting earlier in life is best, but it’s a big boost to your health at any...
- 26117 Views
Is Vaping as Bad for Your Health as Smoking?

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

One of the worst things you can do for your lungs and your overall health is to smoke. But many still don’t know that vaping is also dangerous. While experts expressed concern from the start, not everyone got the message. What Is Vaping? Vaping....
- 22182 Views
Taking Care of Your Kidneys Helps Keep You Healthy

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

Kidneys play a big part in your total health. They filter extra water and toxins from your body. They help control blood pressure. And they play a role in making red blood cells and in keeping bones healthy. When your kidneys aren’t working as.....
- 99649 Views
Stop on Red: Reducing Exposure on High Pollution Days

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

When air pollution levels are high, a red alert warns the public of health dangers. Poor air quality is bad for us all. And it's an even greater risk for those with breathing issues. Poor air quality can trigger allergies and asthma attacks for milli...
- 6978 Views
Care for Your Mental Health Throughout Your Pregnancy

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

Health care is important before, during and after pregnancy. And that means caring for your mind as well as your body. Mental health challenges can affect you throughout the perinatal period. This period begins before you get pregnant and extends...
- 7761 Views
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

Over the last two decades, the number of people with diabetes has increased by 20 percent in the U.S. All told, more than 40 million Americans have diabetes — and the numbers keep rising. The majority (over 90 percent) have Type 2 diabetes. Wit....
- 7055 Views
Kidneys: The Chemical Factories of the Human Body

BCBSTX Connect Team May 4, 2026

The body is one complicated machine. Everything is connected. Everything works (or is supposed to, anyway) in harmony. Many times, when you're diagnosed with an illness, it’s important to address and treat it properly so other parts of your bo.....
- 11623 Views
A Hug Only Takes 10 Seconds, Yet the Benefits Last Forever

BCBSTX Connect Team April 13, 2026

Fun fact about hugs: They don’t just give you a warm, fuzzy sense of well-being — they can also be good for your health. It’s true. Hugging for just 10 seconds can boost feel-good hormones like oxytocin. Often called the “love...
- 12407 Views
Three Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

BCBSTX Connect Team April 6, 2026

Teens are facing more challenges than ever. There’s pressure from school, friends and social media. No wonder their mental health can suffer. You don’t have to wait until your teen is in crisis to talk about it. Talk to your teen early an...
- 7358 Views
The Impact of Stress if You Have Diabetes

BCBSTX Connect Team April 3, 2026

Traffic was a beast. You lost your phone. A few zeros seem to be missing from your bank balance. When you feel stressed, your body produces two hormones that raise your blood sugar — adrenaline and cortisol. Both are linked to the bod...
- 18886 Views
Healthy Gut, Healthy Life?

BCBSTX Connect Team April 2, 2026

You may have heard that your gut is your second brain. The saying gives a sense of how vital your digestive system is to the rest of your body. But what does it mean? A network of hundreds of millions of nerve cells called neurons line the gut, or...
- 14000 Views
Staying Healthy Before, During and After Pregnancy

BCBSTX Connect Team April 2, 2026

Taking care of your health is always important. But it takes on a new level of importance when a baby enters the picture. It’s important to step up your self-care while you’re trying to get pregnant, during your pregnancy and after you g...
- 69547 Views
Minutes of Movement Add Up to a Better Life

BCBSTX Connect Team April 2, 2026

Not being active can be dangerous for your health. Inactivity raises the chance of getting serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Yet 1 in 2 adults — and 77 percent of high school students — don’t get enough physic...
- 12693 Views
Is Your Blood Pressure Being Measured Correctly?

BCBSTX Connect Team April 2, 2026

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a serious health problem that often has no symptoms. Often called "the silent killer" it doesn't always have symptoms. You can have high blood pressure for years and not even know it. It’s impor....
- 17980 Views
Checking Your Blood Pressure Could Save Your Life

BCBSTX Connect Team April 2, 2026

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do for your health. That’s because high blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems. Near.....
- 29203 Views