What is behind frequent yawning during the day?

Daytime sleepiness affects everyone. Sometimes we attribute it to changes in air pressure, insufficient sleep, and most often – to excessive work and stress. If we experience this state only occasionally, there's no cause for concern. Unfortunately, phrases like "chronic exhaustion and sleep deprivation," "daytime sleepiness," or "sleepiness and fatigue" rank among Google's most searched terms. Should we worry?

Diagnosis

Extreme feelings of fatigue during the day are a common health issue in developed countries. Approximately 25 percent of adults admit to suffering from it several days a month, 14 percent weekly, and 8 percent almost daily. It's worth noting that excessive fatigue is actually more dangerous than insomnia. Lack of concentration can cause difficulties at school and work, disrupting normal functioning – often mistaken for laziness. Additionally, the risk of metabolic diseases (diabetes or obesity) increases. The first step toward improvement is extending sleep duration. Uninterrupted sleep should be maintained for at least eight hours per night for a minimum of four weeks. If symptoms persist and yawning continues during regular daily activities, it's recommended to get tested for diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, chronic inflammation, thyroid deficiency, as well as depression and mental health disorders. However, these are extreme cases, with sleep disorders representing only a small part of the picture, triggered by entirely different problems.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) is defined as recurring episodes of upper airway blockage during sleep, leading to apnea and shallow breathing. Loud irregular snoring interrupted by periods of silence is a common and often overlooked symptom. Sudden awakenings and elevated heart rate are equally characteristic of SAS. Sleep apnea is also associated with daytime symptoms such as excessive sweating, headaches, irritability, nervousness, and dry mouth. It also manifests through sudden falling asleep during simple activities like reading or watching television.

Hypersomnia

Hypersomnia is pathologically increased sleepiness that occurs after waking or during various activities. People suffering from hypersomnia fall asleep unexpectedly, which is why this condition is often described as "sleep attacks." Concentration problems or lack of energy are seemingly harmless symptoms – nevertheless – they can lead to serious dangers, such as falling asleep while driving. Frequent nighttime awakenings result in daytime sleepiness, as ineffective sleep deprives you of proper rest.

Obesity

Overweight and high fat levels in the body are underestimated yet extremely dangerous reasons for sleep disorders and general exhaustion. Scientists at Penn State College of Medicine highlight in their studies that obesity has the same impact on sleep and recovery disorders as depression! According to them, obesity causes constant inflammation in the body, which in turn promotes the secretion of cytokines – proteins involved in the body's immune response. It's the elevated level of cytokines that makes us feel constantly tired.

Sleep Hygiene

The most overlooked issue in cases of increased daytime sleepiness is sleep hygiene. This can be maintained by applying some simple rules. The first rule is to go to bed at a regular time, even on weekends. You should also avoid stress in the bedroom – for example, try not to read emails in bed or think about work. The quality of bedding used is equally important. It's best to avoid allergenic fillings and pay attention to proper individual comfort (for example, with sensory/weighted blankets).

Although most of us have basic knowledge about sleep hygiene, it's not always easy to apply it, as it requires above all determination and – furthermore – consistency. And that's certainly not an easy task these days, even when it comes to relaxation.