Skip to main content

Catarrh

Catarrh



Overview

Catarrh is a build-up of mucus (phlegm) in your airways. It usually affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses.

It’s often temporary, but some people experience it for months or years. This is known as chronic catarrh.

Catarrh is not harmful and there are treatments available.

Symptoms



Catarrh can lead to a:

constant need to clear your throat

feeling that your throat is blocked

blocked or stuffy nose that you can’t clear

runny nose

feeling of mucus running down the back of your throat

persistent cough

headache

facial pain

reduced sense of smell and taste

crackling sensation in your ear and some temporary hearing loss

These problems can be frustrating to live with. They may affect your sleep, making you feel tired.

Causes

Catarrh is usually caused by the immune system reacting to an infection or irritation. This causes the lining of your nose and throat to become swollen and produce mucus.

This can be triggered by:

a cold or other infections

hay fever or other types of allergic rhinitis

non-allergic rhinitis

nasal polyps

Treating the underlying condition, if you have one, may help your catarrh.

It’s unclear what causes chronic catarrh, but it’s often the result of an allergy or infection. It may be linked to an:

abnormality in the way mucus travels within the nose

increased sensitivity to mucus in the back of the nose and throat

Catarrh is most commonly associated with the following factors:

Infections. The common cold, the flu, and sinus infections can all lead to catarrh.

Allergies. People who have allergies may also experience catarrh. Some common allergens include things like pollen, dust, and pet dander.

Environment. Things in your environment — such as changes in the weather or being around irritants like cigarette smoke, fumes, or pollution — can cause catarrh.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). People with GERD may find that they experience catarrh.

Nose or sinus structure. Nasal polyps or other abnormalities in the structure of the nose or sinuses may lead to catarrh.

Hormones. The changes in hormones that occur during puberty, during pregnancy, or from using oral contraceptives can cause catarrh.

Spicy foods. Eating spicy foods can lead to an increase in mucus production, leading you to experience transient (temporary) catarrh.

Can you prevent catarrh?

Because a variety of different factors are associated with catarrh, it can sometimes be hard to prevent. In some cases, the exact cause of your symptoms may not be identifiable.

However, there are some steps you can take in your day-to-day life that may reduce your risk of developing catarrh, including:

Avoid triggers. If your catarrh is associated with allergies or irritants, try to avoid situations that may trigger symptoms. For example, you might avoid outdoor activities during pollen season or keep away from areas where smoking is permitted.

Use a humidifier. Since dry air may contribute to catarrh, consider trying out a humidifier to help add moisture to your home.

Prevent infections. Prevent an infection that may lead to catarrh by washing your hands frequently and avoiding contact with people who are sick.

Clean often. If you experience catarrh due to allergies, cleaning can help clear allergens from your home. Focus on things like vacuuming, dusting, and washing fabrics and bed linens.

Diagnosis

There aren’t any specific diagnostic tests for catarrh. In most cases, people are said to have catarrh based on the sensations they’re feeling in their nose and throat.

If you see your doctor for catarrh, they’ll ask for your medical history and perform a physical examination. If they think an underlying condition like allergies, GERD, or a nasal polyp is causing your condition, they may order additional tests.

Treatment

You can do the following things at home to help ease catarrh:

Stay hydrated. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, which can help thin mucus in your nose and throat.

Increase humidity. Using a humidifier or inhaling steam can help loosen mucus and ease throat discomfort.

Sip water. Constantly clearing your throat can lead to increased throat irritation. If you feel like you need to clear your throat, take a small sip of cold water instead.

Prop yourself up at night. Mucus can accumulate in your throat when you’re lying down. To help prevent this, use some pillows to prop yourself up when you go to bed.

Use a nasal rinse. Utilizing a saline nasal rinse can help clear your nasal passages of excess mucus. These can be purchased over the counter (OTC) or made at home.

Gargle salt water. Gargling with salt water can help break up mucus and ease discomfort in your throat.

Try OTC medications. Examples of medications that may be helpful include nasal decongestants (Sudafed, Afrin), antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec), and expectorants (Mucinex, Robitussin).

When at-home care isn’t effective, your doctor may prescribe other medications to help ease your symptoms. These can include steroid nasal sprays like Nasacort or bronchodilators like Atrovent.

Additionally, if an underlying condition is causing your catarrh, your doctor will work to treat that. For example, they may prescribe antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection or medications for GERD.

Catarrh in children

Children can also have catarrh. Generally speaking, the condition is quite similar for both adults and children. However, there are some additional things to be aware of when it comes to catarrh in children.

As in adults, catarrh in children is often associated with things like infections, allergies, or environmental irritants. Some additional risk factors for children include:

foreign object in the nose

enlarged adenoids

cystic fibrosis

immunodeficiency disorders

cilia dysfunction disorders, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia or Kartagener’s syndrome

Catarrh also has similar symptoms in adults and children. However, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology notes that while other symptoms may occur, persistent cough is sometimes the only noticeable symptom in children.

Like in adults, catarrh in children is rarely harmful and will often ease over time. Some additional tips for alleviating catarrh symptoms in children include:

Use a nasal aspirator. This is a device that uses suction to gently remove excess mucus from a child’s nose. It may be particularly helpful for reducing nasal mucus in babies and toddlers.

Consider saline. Mucus can sometimes be too thick to remove with an aspirator. In these cases, saline nasal drops or sprays can be used to thin it out. There are many OTC products available that are appropriately sized for children.

Harness humidity. Using a humidifier in your home may help thin mucus in a child’s nose and throat.

Try OTC medications. Many decongestants or antihistamines are specifically formulated for children. Always read the label carefully before using these, and don’t hesitate to talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns.

Type of Doctor Department : An otolaryngologist


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Charge Syndrome

Overview CHARGE syndrome is a recognizable genetic syndrome with known pattern of features. It is an extremely complex syndrome, involving extensive medical and physical difficulties that differ from child to child. CHARGE syndrome is correlated with genetic mutation to CHD7 and the prevalence of CHARGE syndrome is 1:10,000-1:15,000 live births. Babies with CHARGE syndrome are often born with life-threatening birth defects. They spend many months in the hospital and undergo many surgeries and other treatments. Swallowing and breathing problems make life difficult even when they come home. Most have hearing two little girls sitting on a carpet, one girl has a trach and is biting her finger.loss, vision loss, and balance problems that delay their development and communication. Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, children with CHARGE syndrome often far surpass their medical, physical, educational, and social expectations. One of the hidden features of CHARGE syndrome is the ...
7 comments
Read more

Acral Peeling Skin Syndrome

Overview Acral peeling skin syndrome is a skin disorder characterized by painless peeling of the top layer of skin. The term "acral" refers to the fact that the skin peeling in this condition is most apparent on the hands and feet. Occasionally, peeling also occurs on the arms and legs. The peeling is usually evident from birth, although the condition can also begin in childhood or later in life. Skin peeling is made worse by exposure to heat, humidity and other forms of moisture, and friction. The underlying skin may be temporarily red and itchy, but it typically heals without scarring. Acral peeling skin syndrome is not associated with any other health problems. Symptoms The main symptom of APSS is the painless peeling of the skin. Most people can remove this skin by hand, and it may come off in sheets, similar to peeling skin after a sunburn. 1. blistering 2. itching 3. easily removable hairs If a person exposes their skin to heat, sweat, or water, they may notice that the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome Overview Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Symptoms The two main symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome are: Dry eyes . Your eyes might burn, itch or feel gritty — as if there's sand in them. Dry mouth. Your mouth might feel like it's full of cotton, making it difficult to swallow or speak. Some people with Sjogren's syndrome also have one or more of the following: Joint pain, swel...
Post a Comment
Read more