Infections are the most common cause of MG flare-ups. You can help prevent them by: 

• Washing your hands with soap and water
• Covering your mouth when you cough (Ask others to, too.)
• Not sharing food or drinks
• Wearing a face mask in public, especially in crowds

Another way to protect yourself from serious infections, including influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19, is to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends you get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines annually if you’re over 19. Talk to your doctor about what other vaccines you need, including the pneumococcal vaccine.

MG can raise your risk of anxiety and depression. They come with stress that can trigger flare-ups. It’s not impossible to get rid of all stress from your life, but you can help manage it with light exercise, meditation, yoga, music, or journaling.

Heat can make your MG symptoms worse. It’s best to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Avoid staying in the sun. If you’re getting overheated, apply a cold towel or compress to your neck and drink something cool. You also can take a cool shower or bath. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better in an hour.

There’s no cure for MG, so it’s important to take your medications as prescribed. Two of the most common ones are cholinesterase inhibitors, which improve the signals between your nerves and muscles, and immunosuppressants to help with inflammation. Both can have side effects, though, so let your doctor know if they cause you problems.

Lots of medications can make MG symptoms worse. Those include immune checkpoint inhibitors, statins, D-penicillamine, interferons (IFNs), certain antibiotics, some corticosteroids, and some types of estrogen. There are others, as well, so be sure all your doctors know every medication you’re taking.

MG can make you feel exhausted and weak. Pace yourself when it comes to errands and other activities. Rest or nap when you need to. Don’t feel guilty about telling friends and family you’re just not up to it.

Having surgery can worsen symptoms of MG. If you must have a procedure, even a dental one, make sure your entire care team knows about your diagnosis, especially if you’ll need general anesthesia. The medications in anesthesia can directly affect your breathing. So the anesthesiologist managing your surgery needs special skills and expertise. 

Pregnancy changes your body even if you don’t have MG. But when you do, pregnancy can cause breathing problems, preterm labor, or a difficult delivery. Sometimes pregnancy can make you go into remission. There’s also a chance your baby could be born with neonatal MG. So talk to your doctor about risks before you try to get pregnant.

Common triggers for MG include stress, heat, and infection, but not everybody reacts the same way. Things like age, health history, and medications play a role in how your body responds. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor to know what symptoms to look for.