Yawning - excessive

• Alternative names
• Definition
• Considerations
• Common Causes

• Home Care
• Call your health care provider if
• What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names   

Definition    Return to top

Yawning involves opening the mouth involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation of air, as from drowsiness or weariness.

Considerations    Return to top

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    Return to top

• Drowsiness or weariness
• Disorders associated with excessive daytime sleepiness
• Vasovagal reaction
  • Heart attack
  • Aortic dissection

Home Care    Return to top

Follow prescribed treatment for dealing with the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if    Return to top

• 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    Return to top

The health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform 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 consistent 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 received?
• 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 being taken?