Jake Newby

• Feeling hot while sleeping is common and can be caused by bedroom temperature, bedding, clothing and alcohol.
• Hormonal changes, medications, infections and certain health conditions can also cause night sweats.
• Frequent or unexplained night sweats may warrant a conversation with a health care provider.
• Keeping your bedroom cool and choosing breathable bedding may help reduce nighttime overheating.

• Declining vaccination rates have created immunity gaps, allowing contagious diseases like measles and pertussis to resurge across vulnerable communities.
• High vaccination coverage supports herd immunity and immunocompromised people while limiting disease spread during outbreaks and reducing risks.
• Measles remains exceptionally contagious, spreading through lingering airborne particles and signaling population immunity weaknesses when outbreaks occur in under-vaccinated communities and regions.
• Routine childhood immunizations prevent outbreaks, save lives and help protect communities from preventable diseases through sustained coverage.

• Alcohol can cause a stuffy nose by triggering inflammation, widening blood vessels and increasing histamine levels, especially in people with allergies.
• Beer, red wine, champagne and other fermented alcoholic drinks contain high histamine levels that may worsen nasal congestion and allergy-like symptoms.
• Alcohol can dehydrate your body, making it harder to breathe comfortably and potentially worsening existing sinus problems.
• Limiting alcohol, staying hydrated and recognizing your personal triggers can help reduce sinus congestion.

• The BCBSM Foundation’s $50,000 Community Health Matching Grant helped launch MiSide’s innovative program combining social support with clinical suicide prevention strategies.
• MiSide’s Youth-Nominated Support Team (YST) connects Detroit youth with trusted adults to strengthen mental health support, reduce isolation and improve engagement in care.
• Youth participants choose trusted adults who receive training and resources to provide encouragement, check-ins and meaningful connections throughout their mental health journey.
• Early results show MiSide’s YST is helping vulnerable youth feel supported, empowered and more connected to their communities.

• Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, causing heartburn and discomfort that may signal GERD if symptoms occur frequently.
• Lifestyle changes like eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce acid reflux symptoms over time.
• Over-the-counter medications, including antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors can provide relief when lifestyle changes alone are not enough.
• Frequent reflux, trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss or chest pain should prompt medical evaluation to prevent complications and determine appropriate treatment.

• Staying hydrated during a cold or flu helps regulate body temperature, replace lost fluids from fever and illness, and support overall recovery and immune function.
• Proper hydration keeps mucus thin and flowing, helping your body clear germs and reduce congestion.
• Water is the best choice when sick, while electrolyte drinks may help replace losses from vomiting or diarrhea when consumed in moderation.
• Avoid alcohol and sugary beverages during illness, as they can make you more dehydrated.

• Sinus tarsi syndrome causes pain on the outer ankle due to inflammation or injury within the sinus tarsi, often affecting runners, athletes and people with ankle sprains.
• Common symptoms include persistent outer ankle pain, tenderness, swelling and instability, especially when walking on uneven surfaces, exercising or standing for extended periods.
• Healthcare providers diagnose sinus tarsi syndrome through a physical exam, medical history and imaging tests to rule out fractures, ligament injuries and other ankle conditions.
• Treatment often includes rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, ankle bracing and targeted exercises, with surgery considered only when conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms.

• A gastroparesis diet emphasizes low-fat, low-fiber, easy-to-digest foods that can help reduce symptoms and support better digestion over time.
• Avoiding high-fat, high-fiber and fried foods may help minimize nausea, bloating, fullness and other common gastroparesis symptoms after meals.
• Eating six small meals daily, chewing food thoroughly and staying hydrated can make digestion easier for people living with gastroparesis.
• Working with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help create a personalized gastroparesis meal plan that meets nutritional needs safely.

• Grinding your teeth at night can wear teeth down, damage dental work and contribute to jaw pain over time.
• The cause of teeth grinding at night, also known as sleep bruxism, isn't fully understood, but factors like stress and anxiety, sleep disorders and some medications can exacerbate the issue.
• One common treatment for sleep bruxism is a custom-fitted nightguard or splint.
• While a mouthguard doesn't necessarily stop the grinding itself, it helps protect teeth from further wear and can reduce strain on the jaw muscles.

• Synovial sarcoma is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that develop in the body's connective tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.
• The arms, legs, chest, ankles and feet are parts of the body that are commonly affected by synovial sarcoma.
• Although it can occur at any age, synovial sarcoma is most often diagnosed in teenagers and young adults between the ages of 15 and 40,
• Tumor removal surgery is typically the primary treatment for synovial sarcoma. Radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.

• Nodular melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer and the second most common type of melanoma. It grows rapidly into deeper layers of the skin.
• Nodular melanoma doesn't always look like a typical mole; it can resemble acne, blood blisters, insect bites or other common skin blemishes.
• A new or rapidly changing skin growth should be examined by a healthcare provider as soon as possible because early treatment offers the best chance for a cure.
• Wearing SPF 30+ sunscreen, protective clothing and limiting sun exposure during peak hours can help prevent skin cancer.

• Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July to acknowledge and embrace the contributions and achievements of people with disabilities.
• The observance commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which enacted significant protections against discrimination in many areas of life for the disabled community.
• The five bands included in the Disability Pride Month flag each have a meaning behind them, as does the charcoal gray background.

• Artificial light at night may disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
• Limiting nighttime exposure to phones, televisions and bright lights may support better sleep and long-term cardiovascular health, according to research.
• Artificial light can suppress melatonin production, contributing to poor sleep, metabolic problems, anxiety, depression and other chronic health concerns over time.
• Healthy habits like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep and preventive care remain the foundation of protecting long-term heart health.

• Blue Cross members can now access their insurance information quickly from their smartphone, the same way many of us access our credit cards.
• Just download your ID card through your BCBSM member portal or on the BCBSM mobile app.
• The feature is designed for convenience, so you don't have to delay scheduling or following through with appointments any time you forget your physical ID cards.
• Digital cards do not change provider check-in procedures. The card isn't used for tap-to-pay transactions and providers won't scan it through a payment terminal.

• Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a potentially serious a food allergy that can develop after a person is bitten by certain species of ticks.
• In some people, it can cause an allergic reaction after eating red meat such as beef, pork, lamb, venison or possibly dairy.
• Reactions to alpha-gal syndrome typically occur two to six hours after eating red meat.
• The best way to prevent AGS is to avoid tick bites altogether, by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors, using FDA-approved insect repellants and performing regular tick checks.

• Panic attacks come on suddenly and peak within minutes, while anxiety builds gradually in response to stress or worry.
• Panic attacks are a recognized medical condition; anxiety attacks are a non-clinical term describing intense anxiety episodes.
• Panic symptoms are more intense and may include chest pain, dizziness and fear of losing control or dying.
• Treatment for both conditions may include therapy, medication, stress management and lifestyle changes to improve daily functioning.

• Summer heat, humidity, pollen and poor air quality can all trigger asthma symptoms and flare-ups.
• Check daily air quality and pollen forecasts before spending extended time outdoors during the summer.
• Air conditioning, lower indoor humidity and avoiding smoke can help reduce common summer asthma triggers.
• Follow your asthma action plan, carry your rescue inhaler and talk to your provider if symptoms worsen during summer.

• Hunger can increase irritability by reducing the brain's glucose supply.
• People who regularly skip meals, work long shifts, exercise intensely or are under significant stress may be prone to feelings of "hanger."
• Eating balanced meals regularly may help prevent hanger.
• Protein, fiber and healthy fats keep you satisfied longer than sugary snacks.

• Mold thrives in damp environments like bathrooms, basements and areas with leaks or poor ventilation.
• Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes and coughing may worsen in damp or mold-prone environments.
• Musty odors, water damage and recurring allergy symptoms can all signal hidden mold in the home.
• Controlling humidity, improving ventilation and using allergy medications can all help reduce flare-ups.

• The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation presented Trinity Health with a $10,000 Physician Investigator Research Award to increase hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) awareness.
• HCC is a highly aggressive, common type of primary liver cancer with a low survival rate.
• One of the key components of this intervention is the design and delivery of HCC pamphlets to physician offices across West Michigan, which providers can use to educate at-risk patients.
• Dr. Antoine Sassine hopes this intervention will serve as a pilot for future interventions at other healthcare practices and facilities across the country.

• Also called foodborne illness, food poisoning happens when you eat or drink something contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins.
• Swallowing germs like salmonella, E. coli, norovirus and listeria can lead to food poisoning.
• Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Common signs include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pains.
• How much contaminated food was eaten and how your immune system responds can also influence recovery time.

• PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.
• CPTSD develops from prolonged or repeated trauma, especially when the trauma occurs over months or years and escape may not have felt possible.
• People with CPTSD often experience the core symptoms of PTSD, but they may also struggle with additional challenges tied to emotional regulation and self-perception.
• Both PTSD and CPTSD are treatable, and recovery is possible with the right support. Treatment often includes psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both.

• Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged.
• Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy. Injuries, infections and vitamin deficiencies may also cause it.
• Symptoms can range from tingling or "pins and needles" sensations to chronic pain, muscle weakness and coordination issues.
• Managing underlying conditions, physical therapy, prescription medications and topical treatments are a few treatment options.

• Most health experts recommend leaving your earwax alone, as the ears are designed to be self-cleaning.
• Hydrogen peroxide can be a safe option to remove excess earwax – which can trap water in your ear, but only in certain situations and with proper use.
• However, Using too much hydrogen peroxide in ears – or using it too often – can irritate delicate skin inside the ear canal.
• Talk to your primary care provider before attempting to clean your ears with any solution. To get the full scope of your ear health, your PCP may refer you to an Ears, Nose and Throat specialist.

• Men are significantly more likely than women to die from melanoma and face higher rates of diagnosis after age 50 compared to women.
• Men are less likely than women to seek preventive skincare behaviors, including skin self-exams and professional skin screenings.
• Men can protect their skin from sun exposure by wearing protective clothing and sunscreen, and seeking shade whenever possible.

• A new study links alcohol to 62 medical conditions, up from 48 conditions previously tied to alcohol under the ICD-10.
• The expanded list includes liver disease, pancreatis, neurological disorders, digestive disorders and multiple cancers.
• Despite evidence to the contrary, 37% of U.S. adults do not understand there is a correlation between cancer risk and drinking.
• For people looking to improve their health, cutting back on alcohol – even modestly – may help lower the risk of long-term complications.

• Scammer tactics are becoming increasingly believable as scammers leverage AI to create personalized, highly believable phishing, voice cloning and deepfake scams.
• Fraud schemes targeting seniors are often underreported because victims may feel too embarrassed or fearful to speak to law enforcement.
• Even though money is what scammers are after, fraud can impact far more than your finances.
• For many victims, scams can lead to stress, anxiety, embarrassment and isolation.

• More than one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness, yet men are still less likely than women to seek mental health treatment.
• Symptoms of mental health conditions in men can sometimes show up as anger, aggression, restlessness, misuse of alcohol, substances or both.
• Many men are conditioned to avoid vulnerability or emotional conversations, but opening up – even in small ways – can have a meaningful impact.
• Men experiencing persistent sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, anger, sleep problems or emotional numbness should not ignore those feelings, and instead reach out to a trusted friend, doctor or mental health professional.

• The BCBSM Foundation supported Dr. Alan Baptist's breathing retraining study with a $10,000 Physician Investigator Research Award.
• Up to 40% of people with asthma don’t experience their first attack until after age 40, making older adults the focus for Baptist's study.
• Breathing retraining is a therapeutic technique that focuses on restoring a slow, light and diaphragmatic pattern to increase lung capacity.
• Study participants reported higher asthma control test scores across the board, which has motivated Baptist to launch a larger version of this study in the near future.

• A CT (computed tomography) scan uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
• An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnets and radio waves to create highly detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body.
• Unlike MRIs, CT scans use a small amount of radiation.
• These tests produce images differently and may be used for different purposes depending on a patient’s symptoms and medical history.

• When we are not properly hydrated, the amount of minerals, salt and sugar in the body becomes imbalanced, leading to health issues.
• Health experts generally recommend that men consume 125 ounces and women consume 91 ounces of fluids per day.
• Drinking plenty of water keeps us hydrated, which helps produce body fluids, improves physical and cognitive function and helps us get over sickness.
• It may seem like a chore to reach daily water intake thresholds, but the key to staying hydrated is chipping away at that recommended amount all day long.

• One factor driving feelings of summer loneliness is a lack of structure. Routines like work, school and regular activities create natural social interactions during the colder months.
• The term “sunshine guilt” – which is not a medical condition – was coined to describe the pressure we sometimes feel to be happy, social and active when the weather is nice.
• Some tips to avoiding summertime loneliness include creating your own structure, getting outside on your own terms and taking steps to limit social comparison.

• Melanoma most often develops on sun-exposed areas like the face, arms and legs, but it can appear anywhere on the body.
• Melanoma doesn’t have one distinct look; some melanomas resemble irregular moles, while others appear as new, unusual spots.
• Melanoma may appear flat or raised, smooth or rough and may be larger than typical moles. It may also be multi-colored and uneven in shape.
• Dermatologists and other health experts often use the “ABCDE” rule to help identify potential melanoma.

• One of the trickiest parts of shortness of breath is that anxiety and breathing issues can feed off each other.
• Dyspnea – the medical term for shortness of breath – can stem from many causes, including heart and lung conditions.
• Dyspnea can also be influenced by psychological factors like anxiety. Since the condition is both mental and physical, everyone's experience will differ.
• Patterns that may indicate anxiety-related shortness of breath include the issue popping up while you are stressed, it accompanying other symptoms and it improving when you calm down.

• Since child welfare case workers often are spread thin with dozens of cases at once, court appointed special advocates (CASAs) can step in and devote attention to a few children at a time.
• A CASA remains on each case until it is closed and the child they are advocating for is placed in a safe, permanent home.
• A BCBSM Foundation grant helped the CARE House of Oakland County train new volunteers in 2025, allowing the program to increase its average of 105 children paired with a CASA to 133 children with a CASA.

• Postnasal drip is commonly linked to conditions like allergies, viral infections such as the common cold and sinusitis.
• Nasal sprays can be a helpful solution, but only on a case-by-case basis, because sometimes they can make things worse.
• Lifestyle adjustments such as staying hydrated, focusing on sleep hygiene and using a humidifier can help reduce postnasal drip.
• If symptoms linger, worsen or are accompanied by fever, severe facial pain or thick green or yellow mucus, reach out to your PCP for treatment.

• Several factors can contribute to snoring, including being overweight. Men either middle-aged or older and postmenopausal women are also more likely to snore than others. 
• Nasal strips are non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and easy to use, so they may be worth a try for mild cases of snoring. However, they can be hit or miss.
• Persistent, loud snoring – especially when paired with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing – could indicate obstructive sleep apnea.
• Sleeping on your side, maintaining a healthy weight and practicing good sleep hygiene are a few natural ways to combat snoring.

• When you exceed one standard drink per hour, alcohol builds up in your bloodstream and starts affecting vital functions like breathing, heart rate and body temperature and gag reflex.
• Binge drinking is the most common cause of alcohol poisoning.
• Some signs of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion and stupor, difficulty remaining conscious, vomiting and seizures.
• When tending to an intoxicated person who may have alcohol poisoning, keep the person on the ground in a sitting or partially upright position rather than in a chair while waiting for medical help to arrive.

• Most adults spend about 10% to 20% of each night in each sleep cycle.
• Various substances, medications and medical conditions can affect the amount of time you spend in the deep sleep stage.
• Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you hit the recommended 25% threshold of deep sleep each night.

• Frequent awakenings, like those caused by nasal congestion, can prevent you from staying in deep sleep stages long enough to feel restored.
• When your nasal passages are blocked airflow through your nose is reduced, which forces you to breathe through your mouth.
• When nasal passages are narrowed, the body has to work harder to pull air in, which can create negative pressure in the throat and cause soft tissues to collapse.
• If nasal congestion interferes with your rest, try showering before bed to open airways with steam, using a humidifier and regularly washing your bedding.

• In general, an HDL level of 60 mg/dL or higher is considered protective, while levels below 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women are considered low.
• HDL is a cholesterol number you can often improve by making lifestyle changes like exercising, eating healthy fats and quitting smoking.
• Even losing a modest amount of weight – which can be achieved through a balanced diet – can help you boost your HDL cholesterol.

• The Manna Food Pantry's mobile food delivery program helps expand access to nutritious food in communities with limited grocery options.
• Many Northern Michigan residents Manna serves are homebound older adults and people with disabilities, who struggle to travel and live miles away from full-service grocery stores.
• Manna’s focus is providing produce, protein and dairy products to recipients of its food deliveries.
• During the life cycle of the BCBSM Foundation grant, Manna went from serving an average of 91 people per month at the beginning of 2025 to now serving an average of 170 people each month.

• Concerns about not getting enough rest or feeling nervous about what might happen while you're asleep are possible drivers of sleep anxiety.
• Symptoms of sleep anxiety may include racing thoughts or excessive worry, restlessness and a difficulty concentrating the next day.
• Researchers have found sleep disturbances and anxiety to be “mutually causal."
• Sleep anxiety is treatable and small changes to improve your sleep hygiene can make a big difference.

• Residue" is considered undigested food – including fiber – that makes up stool.
• A low residue diet limits the amount of food waste moving through the large intestine.
• High-fiber foods, fatty foods, tough and fibrous meats and nuts and seeds are some examples of foods to limit on a low residue diet.
• Consider eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large portions and focusing on drinking plenty of fluids if you are new to the low residue diet.

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• In Type 2 diabetes, which is much more common than Type 1, the body still produces insulin, but the cells don’t respond to it properly.
• If the rate of new diagnoses stays the same, Type 1 diabetes cases would remain about the same, but Type 2 diabetes cases would increase about 70%.
• Diabetes treatment often begins with lifestyle changes — including healthier eating, weight loss and exercise — along with medications that help the body use insulin more effectively.

• Some autoimmune rashes are mild and manageable, but others may be a sign of something more serious.
• Autoimmune rashes are often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain and muscle weakness.
• Flareups of these rashes can be exacerbated by stress or illness.
• Autoimmune diseases can affect anyone, but some groups are more at risk. For example, women are more likely than men to develop many autoimmune conditions like lupus, dermatomyositis and certain thyroid diseases.

Medically Reviewed by: Shanthi Appelö

• Health care professionals have consistently found that people who are physically active are less likely to develop colon cancer than those who sit much of the day.
• Exercise reduces inflammation, improves immune function and insulin sensitivity and helps regulate body weight — all factors that have been tied to cancer growth and development.
• Staying physically active following cancer surgery and chemotherapy can produce positive long-term health outcomes, according to research.
• Generally, research suggests that physical activity after cancer treatment can reduce fatigue and enhance mental well-being.

• Sports betting is a form of gambling that has become extremely popular in recent years, with the emergence of online sports books.
• It is particularly popular among young people – especially boys and men – a demographic that is vulnerable to gambling addiction.
• Placing a wager can create a compulsive dynamic that affects a person's mental, emotional and physical health.
• Betting responsibly involves avoiding alcohol while gambling, never chasing your losses and setting limits.

• Without the right resources, accessing health care can be out of reach for vulnerable populations like survivors of human trafficking.
• Haven Homes' holistic approach to providing care involves sitting down with survivors of human trafficking to set goals to determine how they want to rebuild their lives as they receive housing and work toward transitioning to independent living.
• With help from the BCBSM Foundation, Haven Homes was able to log more than 3,000 programmable hours, deliver more than 700 riders to mental and behavioral health appointments and provide 1,800 nights of safe housing.

• Understanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stages can make symptoms feel less mysterious — and help you recognize why early treatment matters so much.
• Inflammation builds around the joints during the first stage of RA, but permanent damage doesn’t usually set in during this stage.
• By late-stage RA, a person’s joints usually get worse as severe pain, swelling, stiffness and a loss of mobility continue to set in.
• The goal of rheumatoid arthritis treatment is to achieve the lowest possible level of arthritis disease activity and remission, while minimizing joint damage and enhancing physical function and quality of life.

• A recent study found that on a per-minute basis, vigorous-intensity exercise can be up to six times more effective than moderate activities at lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Vigorous activity should raise your heart rate significantly and make you sweat after only a few minutes of activity.
• Examples of vigorous exercise include climbing stairs or doing hill sprints, cycling 10 miles per hour or faster and high-intensity interval training.
• If you’re new to vigorous activity or have health conditions, talk to your primary care provider before starting intense exercise.

• Excessive smartphone use upon waking up can negatively impact mental health by increasing stress and anxiety while reducing productivity.
• "Doomscrolling" and "brain rot," terms describing the consumption of negative or low-quality online content, are habits many of us indulge in before even getting out of bed.
• Replacing morning phone time with activities like meditation, breathwork, stretching or journaling can promote a more positive and productive start to the day.

• Many adults affected by Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) become infected by spending time around young kids. 
• The mild, yet highly contagious disease spreads easily in close-contact settings and can be transmitted through contact with fluid from blisters or saliva and droplets from coughs or sneezes.
• HFMD is usually characterized by fly-like symptoms for a couple of days, followed by more severe symptoms, such as an itchy rash and painful mouth sores.
• Most people get better on their own in seven to 10 days with minimal or no medical treatment.

• The Shocks and Saves annual charity hockey game raises funds for defibrillator placement and CPR training in schools and communities in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region.
• Fundraising from the game has allowed the Pulse3 Endowment for Cardiovascular Health to train thousands of people to learn CPR while purchasing nearly 500 defibrillators.
• These breakthroughs have directly saved more than 20 lives in the Saginaw area, according to Dr. Steve Vance.
• The save rate for witnessed cardiac arrests in Saginaw and Tuscola County is over 20%, which almost doubles the national average.

• Light is the biggest external obstacle between being awake and falling asleep; when exposed to it at the wrong times, it can disrupt our internal clock.
• Light exposure also inhibits the brain's ability to produce melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleepiness.
• Reducing light exposure by covering windows with blackout curtains and wearing an eye mask can improve sleep quality.
• Since artificial blue light can stop you from falling asleep, it's best to avoid screens at least 30 minutes before going to bed.

• Economic instability can negatively affect the long-term health, opportunity and prosperity of children before they are born and lead to developmental delays, obesity, chronic disease and other poor health outcomes.
• Rx Kids expanded into the Eastern Upper Peninsula in 2025 to serve families in Alger, Chippewa, Luca, Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties.
• The organization provides relief in the form of $4,500 cash prescriptions for mothers-to-be, featuring a $1,500 transfer at the midpoint of pregnancy.
• After that, Rx Kids provides $500 per month payouts for the first six months of the baby's life.

• Multiple factors can affect a person's sleep needs, including age, diet, medical conditions, medications and more.
• Sleep quantity doesn't always equal sleep quality. Your sleep may not be restorative if your sleep hygiene isn't great.
• Some sleep disorders also interfere with restorative sleep, such as hypersomnia, sleep apnea and more.
• Focusing on your sleep environment and making certain lifestyle changes can improve sleep quality.

• One quarter of Americans age 65 or older have a fall annually.
• Difficulties with walking and balance, certain home hazards, foot pain and lower body weakness are some of the many contributing factors to falls.
• After a fall, it's important to breathe, check for injuries, crawl to a sturdy chair and slowly sit down before seeking help.
• Certain delayed symptoms following a fall should warrant immediate urgent or emergency care if experienced.

• If you missed the Jan. 15 deadline to sign up for a health insurance plan through work, reach out to your employer to see if you can still make adjustments to your benefits.
• Your benefits team may discuss the terms and qualifications associated with a Special Enrollment Period, which could open a new window to make changes before the coverage year officially begins.
• You do not have to worry about being charged on your tax return for being uninsured in Michigan or at the federal level.
• Other options to consider if you missed open enrollment include Medicaid, CHIP and MIChild.

• Thyroid cancer can develop based on risk factors such as radiation exposure, sex and family history or genetics.
• People with thyroid cancer may not show obvious symptoms during early stages, but certain warning signs can develop as the cancer grows.
• Many symptoms associated with thyroid cancer are also associated with other diseases, many of which are usually benign, making preventive exams and annual wellness visits crucial.

• “Food comas” can be caused by multiple factors, including hormones, the types of food we eat and our sleep quality.
• There can be a correlation between fluctuating blood sugar levels – which are a hallmark of diabetes – and feelings of fatigue after eating.
• When we eat foods with a high in the glycemic index, our blood sugar may spike before crashing. This can partly explain why you feel tired after eating sugar.
• When people with diabetes get sleepy after eating, high blood sugar or low blood sugar are often the culprit.

• RSV spreads in the fall and winter and usually peaks in December and January.
• RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most RSV infections go away on their own, but RSV can become severe with increasing age and in those with certain risk factors.
• RSV can also exacerbate symptoms of serious conditions such as asthma, COPD and heart failure.
• There is no specific treatment for RSV, but you can manage symptoms with over the counter medications and other approaches.

• More than 90% of thyroid nodules are noncancerous, but they can still develop into cancer.
• An ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy.
• Rapid growth over the course of weeks or months can sometimes signal a more serious type of cancer.
• If your thyroid nodule is causing voice or swallowing problems, your PCP may recommend surgically removing all or part of the thyroid gland.

• Anxiety can trigger the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing the body to release cortisol, which can lead to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, immune system dysfunction and mental health conditions.
• Some research has found chronic stress and anxiety to drive pro-inflammatory immune activity that harms neurons in the brain.
• Managing and coping with chronic anxiety and other anxiety disorders involves a mixture of lifestyle changes, breathing exercises and recognizing your personal triggers. 

• Children in the United States average nearly eight hours a day of screen time.
• A new study found that kids who spent more time on screens scored lower on standardized reading and math tests compared to kids who used screens less or not at all.
• Other research discovered that preteens using increasing amounts of social media registered lower reading, vocabulary and memory test scores compared to kids who use little to no social media.
• Limiting screen time early is easier than trying to get kids to stay off screens later, as it is considered a progressive habit.

• On average, we spend more than four hours a day on our phones. Since we spend so much time staring at screens, almost all of us are candidates for tech neck.
• Bending the head forward at a 45-degree angle – like we do when craning our necks to scroll our phones – can dramatically increase the chance of having tech neck.
• Performing stretches that release tension in the muscles in your neck and upper body can help improve flexibility and promote good posture.
• Taking mini breaks throughout the day can improve your ergonomics by breaking up the repetitive wear sitting in a chair can put on your posture.

• Researchers have found blue light therapy to be beneficial in reducing skin cancer risk and improving the skin’s appearance. 
• Many studies have found blue light therapy to be effective in treating mild to moderate acne.
• Blue light therapy is not recommended for those with photosensitivity disorders. Researchers have not found many other side effects.
• Blue light therapy devices can be purchased online or in stores, but the safest results are produced when applied by a trained health care professional.

• Walking pneumonia – sometimes referred to as atypical pneumonia – is a milder form of pneumonia, but it can still take a toll on the body.
• While anyone can be infected with walking pneumonia, it is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15.
• Pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the bacteria and viruses that cause it can spread from person to person.
• People with walking pneumonia are usually contagious for two to four weeks before symptoms appear and until symptoms resolve.

• Knowing where to go for care not only gets you treatment faster, it also helps you avoid expensive, unnecessary medical bills during an already stressful holiday hustle.
• Many health plans — including BCBSM — offer access to a 24-hour nurse line, where trained nurses can help you understand your symptoms, talk through your concerns and more.
• Some primary care practices may offer extended hours, same-day appointments and after-hours guidance.
• Many urgent care clinics are open 24/7, 365, including on holidays and weekends. BCBSM and BCN members can browse the list of urgent care centers that are located near them and covered by their plan.