Catarrh

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Overview

Catarrh (commonly known as a "runny nose") is a discharge or mucus blockage caused by the swelling of the mucous membranes. The symptom is usually associated with the common cold, but can also be found in patients with middle ear infections, tonsillitis, sinusitis or an adenoid infection. Some blockages may be chronic.

Etymology

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

Problems caused by catarrh

Catarrh can result in the inability of the Eustachian tube to equalize the pressure on the two sides of the eardrum resulting in pain and damage to the eardrum (barotrauma).

As a result of the inability to equalize the pressure, there can be a buildup of pressure around the eardrum which results in ear pain. As a result, catarrh can result in discomfort with changes in air pressure such as those that accompany:

• Elevators
• Airplanes
• Traveling at elevation

and other activities associated with a change in air pressure.

Even the shallow end of a swimming pool can be problematic to the person with catarrh in so far as barotrauma to the middle ear can occur in as little as 4 feet of water.

Sexual catarrh refers to a runny nose following sexual intercourse.

Related concepts

• Common cold
• Allergy
• Hay fever
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis

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