Excessive yawning can be short or long-term and is influenced by a range of factors. In most cases, it’s the result of one of the factors mentioned above, a period of bad sleep or tiredness, or a particularly stressful time at work.

Because of this, the best way to address excessive yawning is to identify any potential root causes. “Ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress and checking for medication side effects are great starting points,” Dr Nainan says.

Other potential triggers for excessive yawning include:

1. Sleep deprivation

“Excessive yawning can be triggered by sleep deprivation,” Dr Nainan explains. It’s for this reason that people with insomnia or sleep apnoea might also experience excessive yawning.

2. Medication side effects

Some medications can trigger excessive yawning, including antihistamines, some pain medications and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

While part of the reason why this happens is due to the drowsiness these medications can induce, research has shown that yawning as a result of taking SSRIs and other anti-anxiety medications has nothing to do with increased daytime sleepiness.

3. Other underlying health issues

In rare cases, excessive yawning can be a sign of a bigger problem.

“While usually not serious, excessive yawning could be a sign of underlying health issues, particularly if this continues for a long time [without explanation] or if you have added symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches or muscle weakness.”

Health issues linked to excessive yawning include heart attacks, epilepsy and neurological disorders (such as multiple sclerosis).

If you’re worried that your excessive yawning may be linked to a bigger issue, speak to your GP, who will be able to advise on the next steps.

“Why do I keep yawning all the time – even when I’m not tired?” A GP explains