Frequent yawning can be a sign of heart problems & bull; hello healthy

What is yawning?

Yawning is an involuntary activity (automatic, not done on purpose) which includes the process of opening the mouth, taking deep breaths, and filling air into the lungs. Yawning is a very natural response when you experience fatigue. Yawning is usually triggered by drowsiness or fatigue. Yawning can be brief or long enough, that is, for a few seconds until you open your mouth to exhale. Yawning can also be accompanied by audible sighing, watery eyes, or stretching movements.

Why are we yawning?

It is still not clear why humans yawn, but the main triggers of this process are fatigue and boredom. Yawning may also occur when someone is talking about yawning, or seeing and hearing someone else yawn. A study shows that yawning can help lower the temperature in the brain.

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Yawning is said to be excessive if it occurs more than once a minute. Although frequent yawning is commonly associated with drowsiness or boredom, excessive yawning can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions.

Several conditions can cause a vasovagal reaction, aka a reaction that causes you to yawn a lot. During a vasovagal reaction, there is increased activity of the vagus nerve. These nerves travel from the brain to the throat and into the stomach. When these nerves are more active, heart rate and blood pressure drop significantly. The reaction that occurs can indicate a sleep disturbance to serious heart disease.

The cause of frequent yawning

The exact cause of the excessive frequency of yawning is not known. However, this condition can result from:

fatigue
sleep disorders
side effects of certain medications such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety
bleeding in the heart or around the heart

ALSO READ: Early Signs of Heart Disease in Men

Although rare, frequent yawning can also be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as:

brain tumor
heart attack
epilepsy
multiple sclerosis
liver disorders
the body's inability to control temperature

What should I do if I yawn a lot?

Talk to your doctor if you notice that you suddenly yawn a lot, especially if you yawn a lot for no reason. Only a doctor can determine whether excessive yawning is a symptom of something more serious or not.

To determine the cause of your excessive yawning, your doctor may first ask about your sleeping habits to make sure that you are getting enough sleep. This can help differentiate whether your condition is due to fatigue or a sleep disturbance.

ALSO READ: 9 Signs Your Body Needs More Sleep

After ruling out any possible sleep disturbances, your doctor may order a series of tests to find out other causes. Electorencephalogram (EEG) may be one of the tests your doctor will order. This test aims to measure brain wave activity, serves to diagnose epilepsy or other brain disorders.

Your doctor may also order an MRI exam for you. This test uses a large magnetic force and radio waves to produce body images that will help your doctor see your body structure. This examination is commonly used to diagnose disorders of the spinal cord and brain, such as tumors and multiple sclerosis . MRI can also be used to evaluate heart function and see if heart problems are present.

How to deal with excessive yawning?

If you often yawn due to a drug that you are taking, your doctor will recommend lowering the dose of the drug you are taking. Be sure to always consult with your doctor before reducing the dosage of medication. You should not stop taking the drug without the permission of the doctor who is responsible for your condition.

If your condition is due to sleep disturbances, your doctor may recommend that you take medication or use certain techniques to help you get better quality sleep.

If your condition is a symptom of something more serious — such as epilepsy or a liver problem, then the cause should be treated as soon as possible.