Yawning is contagious and it is a known fact. But not many know that chronic yawning could rather be indicative of a serious health problem.
New Delhi: Yawning is contagious and it is a known fact. But not many know that chronic yawning could rather be indicative of a serious health problem. A 47-year-old woman Nickie Davies, from West Kirby made the mistake of dismissing her chronic exhaustion as an aftereffect of covid. She dealt with the virus for 10 days and after recovery, she went on to yawn 100 times a day. Doctors initially thought that her symptoms were linked to sleep apnoea and allergies.
After a few months, Davies continued to yawm perpetually – it soon moved to slurred speech and teeth coming out. Another month later, there were headaches. By this time, doctors recommended hormone replacement therapy for relief. She then suspected that the symptoms were due to motor neuron disease which doctors dismissed. But soon, it was a confirmed diagnosis.
What is motor neuron disease?
Motor neuron disease is a rare condition which affected theoretical physicist and cosmologist Dr Stephen Hawking. It refers to a group of diseases which affect the nerves. In this case, the neurons degenerate and die. It makes the muscles weaker and weaker leading to paralysis and eventually death.
MND can make a patient weak overtime and it has no cure. But some treatments can help reduce the impact on daily life. Some patients can live with it for years. The condition shortens life expectancy and also leads to death.
Symptoms of MND
Doctors list the following as symptoms of motor neuron disease:
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty in swallowing certain foods
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle twitches
- Weakness in the leg or ankles
- Difficulty in climbing stars
- Weight loss – thinner arms and legs over time
- Weak grip – difficulty in opening jars or buttons
- Not being able to stop oneself from crying or laughing in tough situations
Risk factors of motor neuron disease
Motor neuron disease is an uncommon condition affecting people in their 60s and 70s. But it can occur at any age. Doctors say that family history can affect the risks of developing this condition. But it rarely runs in families.
