The mere thought or sight of someone yawning can make you yawn. The most common reason for yawning is exhaustion, but it can also occur unexpectedly and without any trigger. In most cases, yawning is harmless and only lasts a few seconds, but excessive yawning can indicate a severe health issue.
What causes us to yawn? When someone yawns in front of you, why can’t you stifle it? Check it out.
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What Causes Us To Yawn?
Dr. Jen Caudle said, “Most of us equate yawning with being tired, but studies have found that yawning could be caused by your body trying to cool your brain.” It works this way: Yawning stretches your jaw, increasing blood flow in your neck, face, and head. Then a deep breath sends a rush of cool air to the spinal fluid and the brain. The experts say that yawning can also be caused by hunger, boredom, mild stress, relaxation, and satisfaction.
How Contagious Is Yawning?
Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board-certified ob-gyn and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, says yawning isn’t necessarily contagious. Yawns are hard to suppress when someone does them in front of you. As Caudle points out, yawning is contagious among humans, primates, and dogs. It is a common form of echo phenomena – we learn by automatically imitating the actions or words of others.”
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Is Yawning A Sign Of Health Problems?
It depends on the situation. Sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or the side effects of medicines that cause sleepiness, may cause frequent yawning. An exaggerated yawn occurs more than three times in 15 minutes without apparent triggers. It may indicate a stroke, bleeding around the heart, brain tumor, or migraine. You should consult your healthcare provider if you find yourself yawning frequently.