Yawning - excessive

Definition:

To open the mouth involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation of air, as from drowsiness or weariness.

Alternative Names:

Excessive yawning

Considerations:

Yawning is a normal response to fatigue and drowsiness, but excessive yawning can be caused by a vasovagal reaction and may indicate a heart problem.

Normal yawning may be induced when the brain or lungs are not getting enough oxygen (or when someone else yawns).

Common Causes:

drowsiness or weariness
acute MI (vasovagal reaction)
aortic dissection (vasovagal reaction)
disorders associated with excessive daytime sleepiness

Home Care:

Follow prescribed treatment for dealing with the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if:

there is any unexplained and excessive yawning.
the yawning is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting excessive yawning in detail may include:

time pattern
- When did the excessive yawning begin?
- How many yawns per hour or day?
- Is the yawning consistent throughout the day?
- Is it worse in the morning, after lunch, or during exercise?
- Is it worse in certain areas or certain rooms?
quality
- Does yawning interfere with normal activities?
aggravating factors
- Is the increased yawning related to amount of sleep received?
- Is it related to use of medications?
- Is it related to activity level?
- Is it related to boredom?
relieving factors
- What helps it?
- Does rest help?
- Does breathing deeply help?
other
- What other symptoms are also present?
- What medications are being taken?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed may include sleep studies.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to excessive yawning, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Review Date: 12/3/2001
Reviewed By: Steven Angelo, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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