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 expected, even if drowsiness or weariness is present.

Excessive yawning

• Drowsiness or weariness
• Disorders associated with excessive daytime sleepiness
• Vasovagal reaction (stimulation of a nerve called the vagus nerve), caused by heart attack or aortic dissection
• Brain problems such tumor, stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis
• Certain medicines (rare)
• Problem with the body's temperature control (rare)

Follow the treatment for the underlying cause.

• 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 may include:

• When did the excessive yawning begin?
• How many times do you yawn per hour or 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 the amount of sleep you get?
• Is it related to use of medicines?
• 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 present?
• What medicines are you taking?

Tests that may be ordered include those to diagnose medical problems the health care provider thinks you may have.

Based on your evaluation and any tests, your health care provider will recommend treatment, if needed.

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