Treatment for excessive yawning typically depends on its cause. Doctors usually do not treat yawning itself, as it is usually a symptom of an underlying issue rather than a separate medical problem. For example, some of the health problems that may cause excessive yawning include encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and heart disorders. Conditions that interfere with the proper intake or use of oxygen may contribute to excessive yawning as well. Additionally, a person may yawn more than normal as a side effect of certain types of medications.

Before you can concern yourself with treating excessive yawning, you must first understand the difference between excessive yawning and yawning that is likely considered normal. If you have a day in which you yawn a good deal, this may not mean you are yawning excessively. A bit of extra yawning may happen to anyone from time to time. If, on the other hand, you are experiencing much more yawning than usual and it lasts for a significant amount of time, you may have reason to be more concerned and seek the advice of a doctor.

There is a range of conditions that may cause excessive yawning, and if found, a doctor will take steps to treat them. The treatment of these conditions will usually help to alleviate the increase in yawning. Among the conditions a doctor may treat to deal with yawning issues are heart problems that may lead to a heart attack, inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord, or a nervous system condition such as multiple sclerosis. Some breathing disorders may contribute to the problem as well. In the event that the excess yawning is happening as a result of a medication side effect instead of a health condition, your doctor may recommend a change in medication instead.

Usually, a doctor will ask a number of questions when he is attempting to diagnose the underlying condition causing excessive yawning. The answers to these questions may help him get to the root of the problem and effectively treat you for the symptom of excessive yawning. For example, your doctor may ask how well you sleep at night and if you feel unusually tired during the day. He may also ask you when you first noticed the increase in yawning and approximately how many times you yawn each day. Before your doctor can determine the underlying problem, he may also ask if you feel the yawning is related to boredom and if the symptom is relieved by taking deep breaths or resting.