Yawning - excessive
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Yawning involves opening the mouth involuntarily while taking a long, deep breath of air. This is usually done as a result of drowsiness or weariness. Excessive yawning is yawning that happens more often than would be expected, even if drowsiness or weariness is present.
Yawning is a normal response to fatigue and drowsiness, but excessive yawning can be caused by a vasovagal reaction. This reaction is caused by the action of a nerve, called the vagus nerve, on the blood vessels. It may indicate a heart problem.
Normal yawning may happen when someone else yawns.
- Drowsiness or weariness
- Disorders associated with excessive daytime sleepiness
- Vasovagal reaction
- You experience unexplained and excessive yawning.
- The yawning is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness.
The health care provider will get your medical history and do a physical examination.
Medical history questions documenting excessive yawning in detail may include the following:
- When did the excessive yawning begin?
- How many yawns per hour or day?
- Is the yawning the same throughout the day?
- Is it worse in the morning, after lunch, or during exercise?
- Is it worse in certain areas or certain rooms?
- Does yawning interfere with normal activities?
- Is the increased yawning related to amount of sleep you get?
- Is it related to use of medications?
- Is it related to activity level?
- Is it related to boredom?
- What helps it?
- Does rest help?
- Does breathing deeply help?
- What other symptoms are also present?
- What medications are you taking?
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. � 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
