The surprising dangers behind a simple yawn

Do you yawn? Well, don’t we not? But how often do you yawn? Does your yawning get so much, so that you gulp three or more cups of coffee to survive through the afternoon? Well, these could be signs of poor sleep, which can pose serious risks to your health, as per a new position paper by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

The statement published on April 14, as an accepted paper in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, underlines that sleepiness is a critical patient-reported outcome that is associated with an increased risk for adverse health effects and diminished quality of life.

Hidden dangers of sleep deprivation

“Sleepiness is a serious health concern with wide-reaching consequences,” Dr. Eric Olson, president of the AASM said in a statement. “From drowsy driving crashes to workplace errors and long-term health risks, the effects of excessive daytime sleepiness impact individuals and society every day. With one-third of U.S. adults reporting they experience excessive sleepiness, the importance of identifying interventions that recognize, assess, and treat it cannot be understated.”

Sleepiness, a sign of insufficient sleep is a key symptom reported by patients with sleep-wake disorders like narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. Excessive daytime sleepiness, which is the inability to stay awake and alert during the major waking episodes of the day, is linked to increased risks of cognitive impairment, workplace accidents, drowsy driving crashes, and mental health concerns, such as depression and suicidal ideation, according to research. Excessive yawning linked to sleepiness can also be a side effect of medical conditions, medication use, and lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic sleep deprivation.

"We've reached a critical point where the health care system must prioritize the evaluation and management of sleepiness to help patients achieve restorative sleep and maintain daytime alertness," Olson said. He further added, “Further research and innovation are essential to advancing the treatment of sleep-wake disorders, including studies that drive the development of therapies for daytime sleepiness.”

Excessive yawning linked to sleep deficiency is more serious than you might assume. It can interfere with work, school, driving, and social functioning. It can also affect learning, focusing, and reacting. In certain circumstances, sleepiness can also make it hard to judge other people's emotions and reactions. Sleep deficiency can also make you feel frustrated, cranky, or worried in social situations.

Is yawning dangerous? Here’s what experts think

Getting adequate sleep is crucial for your health, even though most people tend to place it on the back burner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends different amounts of sleep for different age groups. Newborns (0-3 months) need the most sleep, which is up to 14 to 17 hours daily. For infants (4–12 months) it is 12 to 16 hours, including naps. Toddlers (1–2 years) require 11 to 14 hours of sleep along with naps. Preschool-aged children (3–5 years) need 10 to 13 hours, including naps. School-aged children (6–12 years) also require a similar amount of sleep, which is 9 to 12 hours. Teenagers (13–17 years) should aim for 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Adults aged 18–60 years need at least 7 hours of sleep per night, while those between 61–64 years benefit from 7 to 9 hours. Older adults, aged 65 and above, require 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.