Catarrh - What You Need To Know

Catarrh is mucus blockage or discharge often caused by
swelling of mucous membranes and by excess mucus. The
symptom is frequently associated with a cold but is also
found with other conditions such as sinusitis, ear
infection, and tonsil or adenoid infections.  Catarrh
blockage can result in discomfort in the ear when changing
altitudes such as in an airplane or even in an elevator.
The mucus drip can cause chronic coughing.  Catarrh is the
body's way of trying to remove toxins from the body.

What causes catarrh?

Catarrh can be a symptom of various illnesses.  The most
common is a cold.  The nasal discharge starts out watery
but may become thick and yellow. Hay fever or rhinitis can
cause a clear discharge, which is also accompanied by
sneezing and itchy eyes.  An allergy may cause catarrh with
similar symptoms. The allergy may be to a particular food,
animal dander or pollen.  A case of the flu can bring on
catarrh, which is accompanied by achy joints, fever and
headache.

Catarrh can also be a reaction to spicy foods, dust,
cigarette smoke, over-dry air, or cold, damp conditions.
These bouts of catarrh are usually relatively quick
episodes that tend to diminish as soon as the irritant is
removed.  It is easier to recognize these causes and have
control over them.

Catarrh remedies

It is important to identify the underlying cause of catarrh
in order to treat it effectively. If the catarrh is caused
by a cold, the best thing to do is to keep the mucous
membranes moist and mucus thin.

One way to loosen the mucus is to inhale hot steam. It
helps to decongest the airways and thin the mucus
throughout the nasal passageways. Adults and children will
benefit from the steam of a hot running shower. Close the
bathroom door and run the shower at full hot.  Sit in the
hot steam for 10 to 15 minutes.  Repeat often to keep mucus
loose.

Raise the humidity level in the house to help keep the nose
clear. The air can become extremely dry in winter with the
heat running, so it is important to increase humidity.
Whole house humidifiers can be attached directly to a
furnace.  If you don't have one you can supplement the
humidity by using a portable humidifier in each room.  It
is advisable to leave the humidifier on in the bedroom
overnight.

Certain herbal remedies can be helpful in clearing the
nasal passageways and reducing mucus production. Eucalyptus
oil aids in opening the nasal passageways.  It can be used
as a tincture and applied to a cloth.  Drinking eucalyptus
tea is a good way to derive the benefits of the herb.
Other members of the mint family are also good for clearing
the nose. For allergy sufferers, comfrey tea can be helpful
in controlling the body's production of histamine.

Finally, when dealing with a bout of catarrh, increase your
intake of vitamins, particularly vitamins A and C.  Be sure
to get plenty of rest.  Drink lots of water and juice to
help clear the mucus.  Cut down on the intake of mucus
producing foods such as dairy products, wheat and processed
foods.


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