Yawning is a natural, involuntary function usually triggered by exhaustion, monotony or even when you see someone else yawning. On the other hand, excessive yawning – which is about 1 – 4 per minute is an indication that your diet is lop-sided or you have some medical condition.
What Are The Causes Of Excessive Yawning?
There are a host of reasons which can set off excessive yawning in an individual.
Physical causes of excessive yawning.
Yawning excessively may be caused by physical disorders including:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Hypothyroidism
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- An alteration in your sleep-wake cycle, such as – travel across different time zones.
- A side effect to certain medications.
- Multiple sclerosis (a condition that afflicts the brain and spinal cord and causing weakness, balance difficulties, and poor coordination).
- Seizure activity (yawning may occur before or after).
Psychological causes of yawning excessively.
Yawning excessively may be due to emotional or psychological disturbances:
- Boredom
- Stress
- Depression
Life threatening causes of yawning excessively.
In certain cases, yawning excessively could be due to a life-threatening condition that needs to be evaluated at once in an emergency setting. These include:
- An exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Seizure
- Stroke
Home Remedies To Stop Excessive Yawning
First and foremost, you need to visit a health care provider and ascertain whether you are suffering from any medical condition. He will ask you to carry out a few tests and investigations to evaluate your condition.
Alongside, these home remedies and guidelines will help you deal with the excessive yawning better.
- Breathing correctly is very important; take short inhalations using the abdominal muscles and then relax and exhale. This increases the levels of oxygen in the brain and blood. Make sure you follow this technique at least once daily. Scheduling yourself for Pranayama classes is recommended too.
- Get rid of boredom and monotony; get up and get involved in some interesting, absorbing work.
- Hydrate yourself. Drink 10 to 12 glasses of water daily. Drinking ample water rehydrates the body and rejuvenates you, and suppresses yawning at least for some time.
- Have a good night’s sleep; it’ll make you fresh, alert and active. You need to ensure that you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Inadequate sleep makes you sluggish, tired and lethargic.
- Take short naps after meals in the afternoon; this will stave off too much of yawning. You do not have to go to sleep. Cat naps or even closing your eyes for 10 minutes, relaxing and taking deep breaths, help you feel better and put an end to excessive yawning.
- Cinnamon is an excellent home remedy for dealing with fatigue and weariness. It banishes weakness and anxiety and makes you feel attentive and happy. Have a glass of cinnamon tea once daily; it’ll proffer excellent results.
- Stress needs to be managed successfully. You need to first identify your stressor and then work out ways to handle it effectively. Yoga, pottery, working out, swimming, reading, gardening, etc. are very good stress busters.
In case you have been diagnosed with cardiac trouble, thyroid irregularities or respiratory tract disorders, it is very vital that you confer with your health care provider, understand your problem and start prompt treatment.