Recurring Nausea in Teen Boys

Nausea, with or without vomiting, is a common condition that affects almost everyone at some point, according to MayoClinic.com 12. The occasional bout of nausea isn't likely cause for concern, but if your teen son continues to experience it, understanding the causes and treatments can help you determine what's behind his recurrent symptoms. If nausea persists or doesn't respond to treatment, contact your teen's doctor right away.

Symptoms

Symptoms of nausea range in severity and your teen son might experience just one or two, or he could feel all of them at the same time. The main indication of nausea is that your son likely feels like he needs to throw up. In most cases, your teen won't need medical care for nausea, but you can help make him more comfortable at home by figuring out what's causing him to feel nauseous.

Causes

Many factors play a role in recurring nausea, so getting to the root of your teen son's nausea can help you get him proper treatment. Motion sickness and migraine headaches often result in recurring nausea. Acid reflux and food allergies can also cause your teen to feel sick to his stomach on a regular basis. If your teen son is undergoing chemotherapy or taking certain medications, he might also feel recurrent nausea.

Treatment

Most of the time, home treatment is appropriate for treating your son's recurring nausea. Lying down can help quell nausea and allow your son to rest until it passes. Medline Plus encourages drinking small amounts of clear liquids to keep your son hydrated and help settle his stomach each time nausea flares 1. Clear soda, water, sports drinks or broth are good options. Over-the-counter anti-nausea medications work well for some teens too, particularly if the problem is recurrent. Follow the dosing instructions carefully and check with your teen's doctor to make sure they are safe to use.

Considerations

In some cases, recurring nausea indicates a serious health condition. If you can't figure out what's causing your teen son's nausea, having him evaluated by his doctor can help rule out medical issues that require specialized treatment. Eating disorders, alcoholism, appendicitis, vertigo, kidney disease, Crohn's disease, depression, heart disease, intestinal blockages, digestive diseases and some types of cancer are conditions that might produce recurring nausea in teen boys. Your teen's physician can run tests and procedures that help get to the bottom of his recurring nausea so an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.