If you find yourself yawning more than usual, there could be more than just fatigue.

Yawning is a mostly involuntary process of opening the mouth, breathing in deeply, and filling the lungs with air. While there’s no precise cause of yawning, it’s often viewed as a natural response to being tired. In fact, yawning is usually triggered by sleepiness or fatigue.

It is natural to yawn late in the day when you are tired or bored. Other health conditions may be to blame for excessive yawning.

It is a good idea to see a doctor if you have excessive yawning.

A yawn is a reaction where you open your mouth, breathe in and exhale quickly.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why yawning occurs, but common triggers include fatigue and boredom. Yawns may also occur when you talk about yawning or see or hear someone else yawn.

Some yawns are short and some last for a while. Watery eyes, stretching, or sighs may accompany yawning.

It is often attributed to being sleepy or bored, but it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Some of the causes are less common.

Common causes

There is no known cause of excessive yawning. It may happen as a result of the following.

Other possible causes

Swelling, redness, and other symptoms of health conditions can also be a sign of excessive yawning.

Certain conditions can cause a vasovagal reaction, which can result in excessive yawning, in addition to other symptoms. During a vasovagal reaction, heart rate and blood pressure drop significantly. The reaction can indicate anything from a sleep disorder to a serious heart condition. Other triggers can include:

  • There was a lot of coughing.
  • It is a pain.
  • Being too hot.
  • standing up too quickly.
  • Dehydration.

To identify the cause of excessive yawning, a doctor may first ask you about any medications you take as well as your sleep habits. They’ll want to make sure that you’re getting adequate restful sleep. This can help them determine whether your excessive yawning may occur as a result of being fatigued or having a sleep disorder.

If they can rule out sleep issues, a doctor may perform diagnostic tests to find another cause for excessive yawning.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the tests that may be used. An EEG measures the electrical activity in the brain. It can help diagnose certain conditions that may affect the brain, including:

A doctor may also order an MRI scan. Also called magnetic resonance imaging, this test uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body, which can help doctors visualize and assess bodily structures.

These pictures are often used to diagnose conditions that can include:

A doctor may recommend a lower dose if the medication causes excessive yawning. Make sure to talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medication. You should always get approval from a medical professional for your medication.

If excessive yawning is occurring as a result of a sleep disorder, a doctor may recommend sleep-aid supplements, such as melatonin, or other medications, if necessary, and techniques for getting more restful sleep. These may include:

  • adhering to a regular sleep schedule, where you go to bed and wake up around the same time—even on weekends
  • exercising regularly to reduce stress and to help burn energy during the day so you sleep better at night—as long as you’re not working out right before bedtime
  • Avoid large meals and drinks before bed.
  • Keeping your room quiet and dark will help you fall asleep quickly.
  • removing electronic devices from your bedroom to prevent distractions and possible sleep-disrupting blue light

If excessive yawning is a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as Seizures. or liver failure, then the underlying problem must be treated immediately.

It is important to speak with a medical professional who can help you determine the underlying cause of excessive yawning.

If you have been yawning frequently for no apparent reason, you should talk to a doctor. They can help determine if excessive yawning is a result of a medical condition.

If you have started taking medications for an underlying condition and have started yawning a lot more than you usually do, you may want to consult with a doctor.

You can help the doctor with the diagnostic process by bringing a detailed list of your current medications, history of medical conditions, and how often you experience unusual yawning.

You may be tired if you are yawning excessively. It can also be a sign of a medical condition, such as sleep apnea, or a reaction to a medication.

If you find you are yawning excessively, it is best to schedule an appointment with a doctor. Once you treat the underlying cause, the excessive yawning may be resolved.