Catarrh

Catarrh is a thick exudate of mucus and white blood cells caused by the swelling of the mucous membranes in the head in response to an infection. It is a symptom usually associated with the common cold and chesty coughs, but can also be found in patients with infections of the adenoids, middle ear, sinus or tonsils. The catarrh may either discharge or cause a blockage which may become chronic.

Problems caused by catarrh

A catarrh blockage may result in discomfort with (and what is known as ear fear of):

• elevators
• airplanes
• traveling at elevation
• baths such as swimming pools, jumping baths and other activities associated with a change in pressure.

Even the shallow end of a swimming bath can be troublesome; barotrauma -- a problem linked to head pressure changes which is affected by catarrh blockages -- can occur in as little as of water depth.

Etymology

The word "catarrh" comes from the Greek "katarrhein": kata- meaning "down" and rhein meaning "to flow."

External references

• NHS Direct

See also

• Allergy
• Hay fever
• Rhinitis

References