Catarrh

This article is about a condition caused by inflamed mucous membranes. For the country, see Qatar.
Catarrh
Classification and external resources
ICD-9 460
DiseasesDB 26380 1589

Catarrh /kəˈtɑr/, or catarrhal inflammation, is a disorder of inflammation of the mucous membranes in one of the airways or cavities of the body.[1][2] It can result in 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 phlegm produced by catarrh may either discharge or cause a blockage which may become chronic.

Clinical relevance

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

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 4 feet (1.2 m) of water depth.

Etymology

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Catarrh - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". Merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  2. ↑ "Chronic Catarrh — Its Symptoms, Causes and Effects. — A Few Practical Remarks by Dr. Lighthill, Author of "A Popular Treatise on Deafness", "Letters on Catarrh." No. 34 St. Mark's-Place, New-York. Symptoms of Catarrh. Causes of Catarrh. Treatment of Catarrh. From J.S. Beecher, Esq., firm of Ives, Beecher and Co., No. 98 Front-St. From Maj. Alvin Walker, Paymaster, U.S.A. From W. Larrabee, Esq. - Article". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2011-11-08.

External links

Look up catarrh in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.