Nausea in Kids

Your child may find the feeling of nausea challenging to describe. They may feel it before an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, but not always.

Nausea is commonly associated with:

• Abdominal pain
• Cramps
• Dry mouth for some and increased mouth-watering (salivation) for others
• Increased heart rate
• Increased breathing rate
• Intense desire to be still
• Queasiness
• Stomach gurgling
• Sweating

Nausea usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. However, you should call your child’s provider if their nausea:

• Is accompanied by
  • a fever greater than 102°F or 100.4°F in a child under three months.
  • vomiting and diarrhea for more than 24 hours.
  • a stiff neck.
• Lasts 48 hours or longer.
• Occurs after a head injury.

Diarrhea in Kids

If your child has frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements, they have diarrhea.

There are common symptoms associated with diarrhea, including:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

Diarrhea in children usually resolves in three to five days. You should call your child’s provider if you have a child with diarrhea that:

• Is accompanied by a fever greater than 102°F or 100.4°F in a child under three months.
• Is bloody.
• Is greasy, floats, and is difficult to flush.
• Lasts longer than a week.
• Leads to signs of dehydration.

Causes of Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea commonly occur together because they are all shared symptoms of common conditions, like:

• Gastroenteritis—Also known as the “stomach flu,” gastroenteritis is the most common cause of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is usually caused by a virus, but bacteria or parasites may also cause it.
• Allergies – If your child is allergic to a new food or medication, they may experience these symptoms soon after ingesting them.  
• Food poisoning – Your child may suffer from food poisoning if they eat foods that have been contaminated. Germs may contaminate foods that are:
  • Eaten after their expiration date.
  • Handled improperly (preparer not washing hands).
  • Not washed properly, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Stored at improper temperatures.
  • Undercooked.
• Migraine headaches – There are many symptoms associated with migraine headaches, including nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea is less common but can occur with migraines.
• Motion sickness – If your child is sensitive to motion, long car rides, boat rides, and roller coasters might trigger these illnesses.
• Underlying health conditions – Some other health conditions may present as persistent nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, such as:
• Appendicitis is a blockage and infection in the appendix. In addition to these symptoms, your child will likely have extreme pain around their belly button and right lower tummy. If you think your child has appendicitis, take them to the nearest emergency room for immediate treatment.
• Celiac disease is an inflammatory response to gluten in your child’s diet.
• Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder more common in female adolescents.
• Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Your child’s nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also be accompanied by extreme upper belly pain and greasy poop.
• Pyloric Stenosis is rare but may occur in infants with a narrowing or blockage from their stomach to their intestines. A baby with pyloric stenosis will have projectile vomiting, and you may notice a small lump in their abdomen the size of an olive. If you think your baby has pyloric stenosis, call your pediatrician right away.

Treatment for Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea

When your child has nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, you want to treat the underlying cause. The most common cause is viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, which usually resolves on its own in 24 to 48 hours. The goal of treatment for gastroenteritis is to help your little one stay hydrated.

Tips to Prevent Dehydration

•  Administer small sips of oral rehydration solutions such as Enfalyte, Gastrolyte, HYDRAlyte, Rehydralate, or similar store-brand versions. These solutions will give your child the right balance of water, sugar, and electrolytes to rehydrate them.
• Avoid full-strength juice, soda, and sports drinks. Their high sugar content can worsen dehydration symptoms.
• Avoid water because it will not replace the electrolytes your child loses when vomiting and having diarrhea.
• Offer small amounts of solid foods once your child stops vomiting. Start with bland or unseasoned chicken, crackers, mashed potatoes, vegetables, yogurt, and anything else they may be craving and can tolerate.

Avoid administering antiemetics (nausea and vomiting prevention medications) or antidiarrheals before talking with your child’s healthcare provider. The body needs to get rid of the viruses and germs that cause stomach flu and food poisoning. Your child’s body fights to rid itself of these viruses and germs through vomiting and diarrhea. The key is to keep them hydrated through the process.

If you think your child has celiac disease, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, or motion sickness, make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider for an exam and further testing. Each of these conditions can be treated to relieve your child’s nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If your child has signs and symptoms of appendicitis, pancreatitis, or pyloric stenosis, seek treatment at the nearest emergency room.

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Preventing Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea

Unfortunately, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common occurrences in kids. But there are some steps you can take to help reduce your child’s risk of suffering from this terrible trio:

• Wash your hands! Hand washing is the single most significant intervention to prevent the spread of bacterial and viral illnesses. Remember to wash your hands
  • After you cough or sneeze.
  • After you use the restroom.
  • After you touch unclean surfaces.
  • Before and after you prepare meals and eat.
• Avoid touching your eyes, face, mouth, or nose unless you have washed your hands.
• Practice food safety to avoid food poisoning by:
  • Checking food expiration dates.
  • Cooking foods thoroughly.
  • Storing food at proper temperatures.
  • Washing fresh fruits and vegetables before serving them.
  • Washing your hands when preparing food.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces in your home, like countertops, doorknobs, and faucet handles.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands, and teach your kiddo to do the same.
• Do not allow your child to share drinks, food, or personal items such as toothbrushes with people who are sick.
• Get your child vaccinated for the flu each year and keep them current with all recommended vaccines. Vaccines like Hepatitis A can help prevent food-borne illnesses, and the Rotavirus vaccine can help prevent a common cause of diarrhea.