Why does my temple hurt when I yawn, and what should I do about it?

Temple pain when yawning may be caused by factors such as excessive tension, alcohol consumption, poor sleep, neurasthenia, temporomandibular joint arthritis (TMJ), or trigeminal neuralgia. Symptoms can be improved through general treatments, medications, and other methods. If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Excessive fatigue

Extended periods of work, study, or other activities can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, which may trigger temple pain during yawning. It is advised to adjust daily routines, ensure sufficient rest, and avoid overexertion to alleviate symptoms of fatigue and temple pain.

2. Poor sleep

Inadequate sleep or poor sleep quality prevents the brain from fully resting and relaxing, potentially causing temple pain when yawning. Improving the sleep environment—such as reducing noise and adjusting bedroom lighting—and maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help ensure adequate sleep duration and quality.

3. Neurasthenia

Neurasthenia results from prolonged mental stress and ongoing inner conflicts. Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and headaches, which may manifest as temple pain during yawning. Improvement can be achieved through physical exercise and adjusting unreasonable study, work, and lifestyle habits. For severe cases, medications such as compound diazepam tablets, estazolam tablets, or alprazolam tablets may be used under medical guidance to relieve anxiety and depression associated with neurasthenia, relax muscles, and reduce physical discomfort.

4. Temporomandibular Joint Arthritis (TMJ)

Temporomandibular joint arthritis occurs when inflammatory changes affect the joint connecting the jaw to the ear area. Symptoms include noticeable joint pain and clicking sounds during opening and closing of the mouth, often accompanied by ear pain, tinnitus, ear fullness, and headaches. TMJ arthritis is primarily characterized by local aseptic inflammation. Under medical supervision, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin capsules or ibuprofen tablets may be taken orally to reduce pain and discomfort. Surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases.

5. Trigeminal Neuralgia

This condition is characterized by sudden onset and sudden cessation of sharp, lightning-like, or knife-cutting pain within the distribution area of the trigeminal nerve on the face and head. In mild cases, temple pain when yawning may occur. Adequate rest and avoiding staying up late are recommended. For severe symptoms, medications such as carbamazepine tablets, gabapentin tablets, or phenytoin sodium tablets may be prescribed to reduce pain signal transmission to the brain.

In daily life, quitting smoking and alcohol, adopting a low-salt diet, and consuming more fruits and vegetables rich in fiber and vitamin C can help prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and effectively reduce episodes of temple pain.