Difficulty Yawning: Seeking Advice
At 16 years old and standing at 5'11", I struggle with intense health anxiety. Over the past few weeks, I have been preoccupied with various concerns, but recently I discovered that I am unable to yawn. This realization has been troubling me for the last couple of days. There are moments when I genuinely cannot yawn, and it even causes me to gag at times. I would greatly appreciate any insights or guidance on this matter. Thank you!
Answers (1)
2/2/2026, 9:10:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that you're feeling troubled about your difficulty with yawning, especially given your health anxiety. Difficulty yawning can be stressful, but let's break down the experience and focus on steps you can take to address this issue.
Main Points:
- Difficulty yawning can stem from various causes, including anxiety, tension, or even physical factors.
- It's important to relieve anxiety and manage stress, as these can affect your body's natural functions.
Explanation:
Yawning is a natural reflex that can be influenced by both physical and emotional factors. Struggling to yawn might be linked to heightened anxiety or tension in the body, which could lead to feelings of frustration or discomfort. Sometimes, anxiety can cause physical sensations that feel unusual, and you're not alone in experiencing this.
You mentioned that at times you find it hard to yawn, and it even causes you to gag. This could be a result of tension in your throat or jaw, which is not uncommon. In some cases, focusing too much on the ability to yawn can make the situation feel worse.
Next Steps:
-
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Try deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation to help manage anxiety. Consider setting aside 5-10 minutes daily for this practice.
-
Gentle Stretching: Incorporating gentle neck and jaw stretches may relieve some tension. Open your mouth wide, stretch your neck from side to side, and let your jaw hang loose.
-
Hydrate and Rest: Ensure that you're drinking enough water and getting adequate rest. Sometimes, fatigue can contribute to a sense of discomfort or difficulty with body functions.
-
Limit Anxiety Triggers: If possible, try to identify specific thoughts or activities that increase your anxiety. Reducing exposure to these triggers may help ease your overall tension.
-
Track Your Symptoms: Keeping a log of when the difficulty occurs and any associated feelings can help you identify patterns and provide context when discussing it with someone if needed.
-
Seek Support: If your anxiety continues to interfere with your daily life, consider talking to someone you trust or a professional who can help you manage these feelings.
If you continue to have significant discomfort or if new symptoms develop, it may be helpful to discuss these with a healthcare professional. Remember, you are not alone, and it's okay to seek support as you navigate this situation.
Related Questions
Swollen, Itchy Toes for Two Months
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out for advice regarding a troubling issue I've been experiencing for the past two months. My toes have developed intensely itchy patches that cause discomfort and even pain when I attempt to curl them, alongside occasional burning sensations. I visited urgent care where the physician prescribed me a cream intended for ringworm after examining only my big toe, but I don't suspect a fungal infection since the problem hasn't spread anywhere else on my body. Any guidance you could provide would be immensely helpful, as walking and applying pressure on my toes has become quite painful. I've considered the possibility of chillblains, but I'm uncertain. Thank you in advance for your insights! Age: 20 Gender: Female Height: 5’3" Weight: 90 lbs Ethnicity: White Duration of symptoms: 2 months Affected area: Feet/toes Pre-existing medical conditions: None Current medications: Birth control and Strattera
Could I Have an Inherently High Metabolism? (16M)
Throughout my life, I've consistently been on the lighter side, with a BMI hovering around 15 to 16. People often suggest that I simply need to eat more, and I've taken that advice to heart. I've even tracked my calorie consumption several times, finding it to be at or above the average for someone my age. Yet, I still find it impossible to put on weight. My thyroid function has been assessed and everything came back normal, leaving me puzzled. Another aspect that contributes to my curiosity is how quickly I sober up after drinking. It's remarkable—I often find that I don't remain intoxicated for more than about an hour. This isn’t merely after a casual drink; I can have several shots of vodka and still feel completely sober just an hour after the first shot. It’s not just a figment of my imagination, either, as I genuinely experience the effects of drunkenness, including disorientation, but magically revert to normal within a short timeframe. It's become quite frustrating, to be honest. So, I can’t help but wonder: is it possible that I simply possess a naturally high metabolism?
Can Working with Felt and Fabric Trigger Allergies? (48F Mother)
My mother, a 48-year-old woman (approximately 5’6” to 5’7” tall), has been running her own business for nearly 12 years, specializing in the production of handmade items using materials such as felt, fabric, and jute. Throughout this time, she has successfully filled thousands of orders. However, she has been suffering from debilitating symptoms that include severe headaches, overwhelming nausea often leading to vomiting, and persistent bladder issues that can last for up to five days. These symptoms are so intense that they hinder her ability to walk and often leave her confined to bed, battling excruciating pain. Despite her struggles, she finds that those around her tend to dismiss her condition. When she seeks medical attention, the wait can stretch over eight hours, which is common in Canada, yet she has consistently returned home without any relief. A few years ago, she underwent an MRI, which yielded no significant findings, leaving her in a state of uncertainty regarding the source of her suffering. After taking an extended break from her craft, she noticed an improvement in her condition, although occasional migraines persisted. Now, as she has resumed her routine of cutting and sewing for hours each day, the debilitating symptoms have returned, resembling the pain she experienced before her hiatus. Could she be experiencing an allergy or sensitivity related to working with felt or fabric? While cutting the felt releases tiny microfibers into the air, it's difficult for me to comprehend how this could lead to such severe discomfort. How can exposure to these fibers result in hours spent in the bathroom with debilitating headaches and extreme nausea? I am reaching out for any insights, as we have exhausted our options, and it seems that the medical community has been unhelpful in resolving her issues.
Struggling with Daily Extended Bowel Movements
Age: 21, Weight: 150 lbs, Height: 5’11" Medication: Sertraline Approximately five years ago, I began experiencing bowel movements that last an unusually long time, which have since taken a toll on my daily life. The process has turned quite painful, particularly in the abdominal region, and I often deal with persistent swelling and sharp sensations in my colon, even shortly after going to the bathroom. Once seated, getting up is nearly impossible, and it can take several hours before I feel properly relieved. Although I maintain a reasonably good diet and have tried numerous over-the-counter fiber supplements and various remedies to combat constipation, relief remains elusive. Throughout the years, I've consulted a range of doctors and gastrointestinal experts, yet my condition seems to be deteriorating. I have undergone multiple procedures, including rectal examinations, allergy testing, a colonoscopy, an endoscopy, a CT scan, a test for gut bacteria, and a complete blood panel, all with no definitive answers. Medications like Linzess and Pantoprazole have been prescribed, but instead of helping, they’ve only intensified my symptoms. I’m reaching out for suggestions on what steps to take next, as this ongoing issue has severely disrupted my daily routine and I haven't found much assistance from my medical providers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and I’m happy to share additional details if needed!
Understanding My Recent Daily Headaches
Hello! I’m a 26-year-old woman who has been experiencing intermittent headaches. This all began on January 21st, after I had a good cry, and since waking up on the 22nd, I’ve had a headache that lingers. The discomfort tends to hover around a level of 3 or 4 but occasionally intensifies, reaching levels of 7 or 8. The sensation is generally dull, yet it's felt throughout my head, often starting at the back and then shifting around. Alongside this headache, I’ve noticed some tension and pain in my neck, though the headache remains even when my neck feels fine. I’m not pregnant and don’t have a precedent for frequent headaches, aside from occasional menstrual migraines that I experienced prior to starting birth control. About six days into this ordeal, I visited a chiropractor for an adjustment, but it didn't provide the relief I had hoped for. I’ve been cautious with pain relievers, opting not to take them unless the pain becomes almost unbearable, as I want to avoid the possibility of rebound headaches. My mother-in-law deals with migraines and had given me eletriptan, but it wasn’t effective for my situation. I’ve had some success with Tylenol in easing the agony. Additionally, I've been applying ice to my neck, which offers slight relief. Usually, I would seek medical help or consult a specialist by now, but I currently find myself in a transitional job situation without health insurance. Therefore, I’m reaching out to see if my situation reflects something serious or if it's part of the ordinary ups and downs of headaches. Once I secure insurance, I fully intend to get this checked out, regardless of whether the headache improves, since it has left me pretty anxious about my health. I’m particularly curious to know whether this warrants immediate medical attention or if I can afford to wait a bit. For context, I don’t typically drink alcohol, have never smoked, and there is no family history of cancer or headache disorders.