Have you been yawning a lot lately? We yawn for different reasons, like sleep deprivation, boredom, and more. However, you might be yawning excessively. If you can’t stop yawning, there could be an underlying reason for it too. Carry on reading this blog if you’re thinking. “Why do I yawn so much?”
What Causes Yawning?
Yawning, a natural reflex, occurs among all vertebrate animals. Humans, too, yawn with their mouths open to inhale deeply and then exhale. Usually, yawning is a result of sleepiness or drowsiness. Moreover, it is your body’s natural process of keeping you awake in the morning after you wake up. Boredom is another factor that leads to yawning.
It is also believed that we yawn to regulate brain temperature. Thus, it could be a method of cooling down the overheated brain. Other than this, yawning is also a part of your empathetic response. In short, when you see someone else yawning, it triggers your yawning.
Excessive Yawning Causes
Some people yawn a lot throughout the day. Known as excessive yawning, this might indicate something you need to address. If you yawn so much that you suspect an underlying cause, here are a few factors that might be the culprit:
1. You are Drowsy or Extremely Sleepy
You might be yawning because of sleep debt. When you don’t receive enough sleep, you might experience drowsiness or excessive sleepiness. This is because the sleep starts catching up to you, making you yawn a lot. Hence, you might need to set up a good sleeping schedule.
2. Your Medications Have Side Effects
If you can’t stop yawning, it could be because of the medications you’re taking. Multiple studies have shown that altering medications might lead to excessive yawning. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Yawning is a common side effect of these medications.
3. There’s a Neurological Disorder
Neurological disorders like migraines, epilepsy, stroke, and more can result in excessive yawning. Thus, the reason one might yawn so much could be to relieve the symptoms temporarily.
4. A Sleeping Disorder Is Causing Excessive Yawning
Many sleep disorders can lead to drowsiness and sleepiness. You will feel tired throughout the day, yawning a lot. Sleep disorders like narcolepsy and sleep apnea could be why you yawn so much.
Treatment for Yawning So Much
Your sleep specialist can help you discover why you yawn so much. If medications are the reason, the doctor might lower the dosage. Remember not to make any alterations without consulting a doctor. For sleep disorders, your sleep doctor will recommend the best treatment, depending on your condition. Moreover, they’ll give you tips and techniques for restful sleep.
What to Do?
Sleep disorders, neurological conditions, medications, drowsiness, and sleepiness might be why you yawn so much. Whatever the cause, a reputable doctor can help you get rid of it for restful sleep. Our Nirvana Elite Sleep & Wellness team can help you with your sleep and headaches. Schedule an appointment with our experts at (832) 952-1199. You can also come to meet us at 17146 N. Eldridge Pkwy Suite G, Tomball, Texas 77377.