‘Seek medical attention’ if yawning excessively – doctor shares four causes

Excessive yawning is when it occurs more than three times in a 15-minute period, according to GP Doctor Johannes Uys.

And if you’ve been yawning excessively, it’s important to seek medical attention.

Dr Uys advised: “This can be difficult to track, so it’s important to pay attention to how often you yawn and if it feels different than usual.”

One of the most common causes of excessive yawning, according to Dr Uys, who is a GP at Broadgate General Practice in London, is sleep deprivation which, in itself, could possibly indicate an underlying health condition such as sleep apnea or insomnia.

He added excessive yawning could also be the result of medications you might be taking.

“Certain medications, such as antipsychotics or antidepressants, can cause excessive yawning as a side effect,” Dr Uys elaborated.

One scary prospect of excessive yawning is that it could be indicative of a brain disorder.

Dr Uys said: “Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and migraine headaches can cause excessive yawning.”

Dr Uys added: “If your doctor suspects that a sleep disorder or brain disorder may be causing your excessive yawning, they may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.”

Another culprit of excessive yawning could also include anxiety or stress, which may be a way for you to “cope with the tension”.

Dr Suhail Hussain, a personal physician and private home visiting GP covering Greater London, added another possible reason for excessive yawning.

If the oxygen supply around the body is affected by a heart attack, for instance, then this could lead to excessive yawning.

Dr Hussain made clear, however, that “this is not the main symptom of a heart attack”.

He added: “Most of the time yawning is perfectly normal, however, as with anything, if it seems out of the ordinary or unusual you should take note of it and potentially seek medical advice.

“If the history or other symptoms suggest an underlying cause your GP can run some tests or refer you on to see the appropriate specialist.”