Yawning - excessive

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Yawning - excessive

Definition:

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

Alternative Names:

Excessive yawning

Considerations:

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:

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

Review Date: 1/24/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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