Nausea in kids can be triggered by a wide range of both physiological and psychological causes. Most pediatric nausea is a short-duration condition related to food, a virus or nerves. Some children also get nauseous from motion sickness when traveling by car, plane or boat. Longer-term nausea may be a symptom of a more-serious condition, particularly when combined with other symptoms, and should be discussed with your child's pediatrician.
Minor Physiological Causes
Children often complain of an upset stomach. Such complaints typically are caused by eating too much of a particular food -- holiday candy or treats, for example -- or from gastroenteritis caused by eating something that has been contaminated by a harmful bacteria or from mild viral infections. These types of nausea usually run their course in a day or two, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, and are easily treated with rest, lots of clear liquids and a bland diet.
Nerves
Kids may also feel nauseous because of nervousness or fear. This may be caused by something as simple as an upcoming test or big game, or may be due to more-serious anxiety over problems with peers, bullying at school or a stressful home environment. Physical remedies are unlikely to be the answer in these cases, since the root cause is not physical. Talk with your child to try to get to the root of the problem and follow up as needed with a school counselor or your child's doctor.
Potentially Serious or Prolonged Nausea
Nausea lasting more than one or two days, especially when accompanied by fever, headache or diarrhea, may be a symptom of a more serious condition. In these cases, consult with your child's doctor. The nausea may be a sign of a concussion, migraine headaches, a brain tumor or serious diseases such as encephalitis, meningitis or appendicitis. Gastrointestinal illnesses or blockages often cause nausea and vomiting. Children undergoing cancer treatments may also experience nausea.
Treatments for Nausea
Common home treatments are typically sufficient to deal with the mild varieties of nausea caused by food or simple viruses. One of the most important things is to ensure the child gets plenty of liquids, since dehydration is a potentially serious side effect of vomiting. Doctors may recommend anti-emetics in certain situations to prevent excessive vomiting, but these should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. More serious cases need to be analyzed by a medical professional to ensure any subsequent treatment deals not only with the nausea but with the more serious underlying causes.
