When the weather gets warm, people with MG have to get clever.

Countless songs, movies and books celebrate the magic of summer. Unfortunately for people with MG, summertime can sometimes be no picnic, since hot weather can make MG symptoms worse.^1-3 However, with a little planning and a few pro tips, it’s possible to safely enjoy the magic of summer.

Hydrate Like a Boss

In the warm summer months, staying hydrated is a little more challenging. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. There are many good options, from water to lemonade to iced tea. But keep in mind that not all of them are created equal.⁴ There are some you may want to stay away from. Caffeine drinks can have a mild diuretic effect (meaning they make you pee), but studies show that there’s no significant dehydrating effect from moderate daily coffee intake.⁵ So don’t let summer hydration worries get between you and your morning joe.

But booze? That’s another story. Alcohol has been shown to have a dehydrating effect on your body.^4,6 So when the mercury is up, your alcohol intake should go down. The smarter bet is icy nonalcoholic drinks and frozen desserts, which can help cool you and hydrate you at the same time. Be sure to check out our smoothie recipes created just for people with MG.

Tech Up for the Season

You may not have heard, but we seem to be living in a golden age of products designed to help keep you cool in the summer. There are, of course, tried and true classics like personal fans, spray bottles, cold washcloths and ice packs. And they’re classics for a reason—they’re simple, inexpensive and work great. So use ’em!

But you may be less aware of more recent cooling innovations. The list includes cooling vests, towels, bandanas, hats and bracelets. There are also cooling mattresses, mattress pads, pillows, car seats and more. You can find them simply by googling any of the items listed above with the word cooling in front. Prepare to be amazed at all the cool new tools at your disposal to beat the summer heat.