Contents:
- Medical Video: Notably Surprising Reasons Why You Could Be Yawning Too Much
- Does it evaporate?
- Why do we yawn?
- The cause often evaporates
- What should I do if I often yawn?
- How do you deal with excessive yawning conditions?
Medical Video: Notably Surprising Reasons Why You Could Be Yawning Too Much
Yawning is a natural thing for everyone. The average person yawns due to fatigue or lack of sleep. However, did you know that too often yawning can be a sign that you are experiencing a more serious condition?
Does it evaporate?
Yawning is an involuntary activity (automatic, not done intentionally) that includes the process of opening the mouth, breathing deeply, and filling air into the lungs. Yawning is a very reasonable response if you experience fatigue. Yawning is usually triggered by drowsiness or fatigue. Yawning can be short or long enough, for several seconds until the mouth is opened to exhale. Yawning can also be accompanied by audible sighs, runny eyes, or stretching movements.
Why do we yawn?
It is still not clear why humans evaporate, but the main originator of this process is feeling tired and bored. Yawning may also occur if someone talks about yawning, or seeing and listening to other people yawn. A study shows that yawning can help reduce the temperature in the brain.
READ ALSO: How come, seeing other people yawning, we also yawn too?
Yawning is said to be excessive if it occurs more than once in a minute. Although frequent yawning is commonly associated with drowsiness or boredom, excessive yawning can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions.
Some conditions can cause vasovagal reactions, aka a reaction that can cause you to yawn frequently. During a vasovagal reaction, there is increased activity of the vagus nerve. This nerve runs from the brain to the throat and goes to the stomach. When these nerves are more active, the heart rate and blood pressure drop significantly. Reactions that occur can indicate sleep disturbances to serious heart disease.
The cause often evaporates
The exact cause of the excessive frequency of yawning is still unknown. However, this condition can occur due to:
- fatigue
- sleep disorders
- side effects of certain drugs such as anti-depressant or anti-anxiety
- bleeding in the heart or around the heart
READ ALSO: Signs of Early Heart Disease in Men
Although rare, frequent yawning can also be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as:
- brain tumor
- heart attack
- epilepsy
- multiple sclerosis
- liver disorders
- inability of the body to control temperature
What should I do if I often yawn?
Consult your doctor if you realize that you suddenly get yawning, especially if you often yawn without reason. Only doctors can determine whether excessive yawning is a symptom of something more serious or not.
To find out the cause of your excessive yawning, your doctor may ask you first about your sleep habits to make sure that you have got enough sleep. This can help distinguish whether your condition is caused by fatigue or because of a sleep disorder.
READ ALSO: 9 Signs Your Body Needs More Sleep
After getting rid of the possibility of a sleep disorder, your doctor may ask you to take a series of tests to find out other causes. Electorencephalogram (EEG) may be one of the tests your doctor will ask. This test aims to measure brain wave activity, serves to diagnose epilepsy or other brain disorders.
Your doctor may also request an MRI examination for you. This examination uses a large magnetic force and radio waves to produce a body image that will help doctors see the structure of your body. This examination is commonly used to diagnose disorders of the spinal cord and brain, such as tumors and multiple sclerosis. MRI can also be used to evaluate heart function and see whether there is a heart problem.
How do you deal with excessive yawning conditions?
If you often yawn due to the medication you are taking, the doctor will recommend reducing the dose of the drug you are taking. Be sure to always consult your doctor before lowering the treatment dose. You may not stop taking the drug without the permission of the doctor responsible for your condition.
If your condition is caused by a sleep disorder, your doctor may advise you to take medication or use certain techniques to help you get better quality sleep.
If your condition is a symptom of something more serious — such as epilepsy or a liver disorder, then the cause must be treated as soon as possible.
