YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH/BOWEL DISORDERS: NAUSEA AND SWALLOWED FOREIGN OBJECT
NAUSEA
Nausea is the feeling that you want to vomit. It is also known as being bilious or nauseated. Young children will not be able to tell you that they feel nauseated, but they may look pale and sweaty, and complain of a stomach ache. Older children will be able to describe additional symptoms such as dizziness.
Cause
There are many causes of nausea in children, but by far the most common are gastroenteritis, ear infections and motion sickness.
Treatment
Medications against nausea should not be given to children, due to the risk of serious side effects. If your child has nausea it is advisable to see your doctor.
SWALLOWED FOREIGN OBJECT
Babies and toddlers tend to explore things by placing them in their mouths and so they may swallow something which is not food. Many objects will be passed in the stools. If your child does not vomit, cough or complain of abdominal pain, simply sift the stools through a fine wire mesh for the next few days until the object appears. The commonest objects swallowed are coins and beads. Sometimes an X-ray may be taken to locate the object inside the gastrointestinal system.
If your child swallows a sharp, or poisonous object such as a battery or nails or pins, you should seek immediate medical attention. These objects can be life threatening. See also Essential first aid in Chapter 1 for Choking and poisoning.
When to see your doctor
Take your child to hospital immediately if he is choking, coughing, vomiting or having difficulty breathing, or if you are not sure what he has swallowed.
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