Love Should Take Your Breath Away, Not Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways in the lungs to become constricted, making it difficult to breathe. About 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma — or about 1 in 13 people — and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and others (LGBTQ+) community is disproportionately affected.

When managing a chronic condition like asthma, it’s important to involve your loved ones in your care. Asthma can affect your work, home, social, and romantic life — and having someone by your side can help you avoid triggers and prevent your asthma from escalating. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, an informed and supportive partner can also help ensure you’re getting the unbiased care and treatment you need and deserve.

Grab your loved one and go through our guide — together you can make living with asthma an easier journey.

The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. GHLF.org is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

How to Tell Your Loved Ones About Your Asthma Diagnosis

Getting the support you need from your partner – especially if you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community – can make all the difference in overcoming health barriers, setting treatment goals, avoiding triggers, and getting proper treatment. Here’s how to share the news and make your loved one part of your care team.

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Common Asthma Triggers and How to Deal with Them

What are common triggers others living with asthma experience and how do they deal with them? What are some ways loved ones or partners can help with symptom management and preventing an asthma attack?

Get the answers to these critical questions and more in our free guide.

Personalizing Your Asthma Care

When your asthma is better controlled, you can shift the focus from your lungs to your heart (and who it loves). But you don’t have to do it alone and you certainly don’t have to settle in your care. There are many newer targeted therapies for asthma that are designed to help you feel good and participate in daily activities with loved ones.

In this edition of The Asthma Podcast, we dive into the stories of LGBTQ+ asthma patients within the theme of “Love Should Take Your Breath Away, Not Asthma,” exploring how LGBTQ+ individuals navigate their identities, relationships, and asthma all at the same time.

Episode 1: Carly's Story
In this episode, we hear from Carly, Chief Research and Innovation Officer of #LupusChat, member of the National Institute of Health’s COVID-19 treatment guidelines panel as well as a research lead and liaison with the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.  Carly offers her unique perspective and valuable insight as a person living with lupus and asthma.

Episode 2: Frankie's Story
In this episode, we hear from Frankie Lee, a trans asthma patient who works in tech support and enjoys streaming. Frankie talks to us about the importance of support, listening to your body, and the value of self-advocacy when it comes to getting proper asthma care.

The Asthma Podcast

The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with chronic illnesses (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine, psoriasis, and cardiovascular disease) by advocating for improved access to health care at the community, state, and federal levels, and amplifying education and awareness efforts within its social media framework. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints®, the digital arthritis community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research through ArthritisPower® (ArthritisPower.org), the first-ever patient-centered research registry for joint, bone, and inflammatory skin conditions, and hosts PainSpot (PainSpot.org), a digital risk assessment tool for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Visit www.GHLF.org for more information.

Love Should Take Your Breath Away, Not Asthma was made possible with support from Amgen and AstraZeneca.

8 Possible Asthma Triggers and Ways Your Partner Can Support You

An asthma trigger causes constricted and inflamed airways, resulting in airflow obstruction and making it hard to breathe. Asthma triggers and severity may vary from person to person, so it’s important to learn about your triggers and ways your partner can help you reduce your exposure.

Understanding Asthma Complications

Dealing with a chronic condition is hard, especially if you’re dealing with multiple health conditions, or comorbidities that can overlap with asthma and interfere with managing your condition. The good news: Understanding common asthma complications will allow you to bring up any concerns with your doctor and get the support you need.

Asthma requires regular care by a provider, so finding the right doctor is key to managing your condition. It’s important to feel comfortable and safe to talk about what’s bothering you, your individual preferences and needs, and your LGBTQ+ identity. This is your health — and your life — so it’s essential to get the supportive and unbiased care you need and deserve.

LGBTQ+ Community: How to Ensure You’re Getting the Care You Need

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Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways in the lungs to become constricted, making it difficult to breathe. About 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma — or about 1 in 13 people — and the LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected.

When managing a chronic condition like asthma, it’s important to involve your loved ones in your care. Asthma can affect your work, home, social, and romantic life — and having someone by your side can help you avoid triggers and prevent your asthma from escalating. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, an informed and supportive partner can also help ensure you’re getting the unbiased care and treatment you need and deserve.

Grab your loved one and go through our guide – together you can make living with asthma an easier journey.