4 reasons excessive yawning shouldn’t be ignored
It may look like the body’s sign of saying you’re bored or sleepy , but yawning could be telling you more than that. Clinical research suggests that yawning isn’t always trivial. Repeated yawning has been associated with some health issues.Microneurography, a technique that lets scientists record nerve signals in living humans, has shown that yawning causes a temporary suppression of muscle sympathetic nerve activity, hinting at a surge in parasympathetic control. Meanwhile, stroke researchers have proposed that yawning may serve as a brain-cooling mechanism, triggered when key thermoregulatory centers are disrupted.These findings suggest that excessive yawning might not be an innocent quirk, and it could be a red flag, pointing to serious neurological or autonomic changes.
Here are four serious reasons why yawning a lot may signal something more than just being sleepy.
1. Neurological disorders
Research shows that excessive yawning is sometimes linked to serious brain conditions, including epilepsy, stroke, and brain lesions.In one documented case, video-EEG recordings revealed that frequent yawning episodes were actually part of frontal-lobe seizures.Note: While yawning alone isn’t proof of a brain disorder, when combined with other symptoms, such as dizziness, weakness, or cognitive changes, it’s a sign to seek medical attention.
2. Overactive autonomic nervous system
Yawning also reflects the activity of your autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. Studies suggest that excessive yawning may indicate an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.In simple terms, excessive yawning may be a subtle warning that your body’s “automatic control system” isn’t working perfectly.
3. Brain is struggling to maintain optimal temperatures
While occasional yawning is normal, frequent or uncontrollable yawning could indicate that your brain is struggling to maintain optimal temperature.Research suggests that yawning helps regulate brain temperature by increasing blood flow and bringing in cooler air through deep inhalation. In patients with certain types of stroke, excessive yawning has been linked to lesions in brain regions that control temperature regulation, like the insula. As per studies, this indicates that yawning might be the brain’s way of compensating when its thermoregulatory centers are disrupted.
4. May signal metabolic disturbances
Yawning is influenced by brain chemicals and metabolic changes. Research published in JAMA networks shows that yawning is closely linked to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, motivation, and movement. The research highlighted that yawns were linked to dopamine dysfunction.
What is considered excessive yawning?
Different people yawn at very different rates. Studies have shown a wide range of “normal” yawning frequencies depending on age, state of alertness, and even between individuals. There are no specific trials or studies that give an accurate number on what counts as excessive yawning. However, In an NIH study of stroke patients, pathological yawning was defined as ≥ 3 yawns per 15 minutes.
Harmless fatigue vs warning sign
Yawning is most often a harmless response to sleepiness, fatigue, or lack of adequate rest. Normal tiredness, long hours of work, or disrupted sleep patterns can all trigger frequent yawning. The concern arises when yawning is persistent, unexplained, or accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, weakness, or cognitive changes. Only a qualified healthcare professional can determine the cause and recommend appropriate care. Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
