Catarrh

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

Contents

Catarrh (play /kəˈtɑr/) 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.

Problems caused by catarrh

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. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catarrh. 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. http://www.nytimes.com/1865/03/03/news/chronic-catarrh-its-symptoms-causes-effects-few-practical-remarks-dr-lighthill.html?scp=1&sq=catarrh&st=cse. Retrieved 2011-11-08. 

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Catarrh — Ca*tarrh , n. [L. catarrhus, Gr. ?, ?, a running down, rheum, fr. ?; kata down + ? to flow. See {Stream}.] (Med.) An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling, and an altertion in the quantity and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • catarrh — (n.) late 14c., from M.L. catarrus, from L.L. catarrhus, from Gk. katarrhous a catarrh, a head cold, lit. a flowing down, from kata down (see CATA (Cf. cata )) + rhein to flow (see RHEUM (Cf. rheum)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • catarrh — ► NOUN ▪ excessive discharge of mucus in the nose or throat. DERIVATIVES catarrhal adjective. ORIGIN Latin catarrhus, from Greek katarrhein flow down …   English terms dictionary

  • catarrh — [kə tär′] n. [ME catarre < Fr catarrhe < LL catarrhus < Gr katarrhoos < katarrhein, to flow down < kata , down + rhein, to flow: see STREAM] inflammation of a mucous membrane, esp. of the nose or throat, causing an increased flow… …   English World dictionary

  • catarrh — [[t]kətɑ͟ː(r)[/t]] N UNCOUNT Catarrh is a medical condition in which a lot of mucus is produced in your nose and throat. You may get catarrh when you have a cold …   English dictionary

  • catarrh — ca|tarrh [kəˈta: US ˈta:r] n [U] BrE [Date: 1400 1500; : French; Origin: catarrhe, from Greek katarrhein to flow down ] an uncomfortable condition in which your body produces a thick liquid that blocks your nose and throat ▪ After a cold, many… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • catarrh — [16] Etymologically, catarrh is ‘something that flows down’. It comes via French catarrhe and late Latin catarrhus from Greek katárrhous, a derivative of the verb katarrhein, a compound formed from the prefix katá ‘down’ (as in cataract) and the… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • catarrh — [16] Etymologically, catarrh is ‘something that flows down’. It comes via French catarrhe and late Latin catarrhus from Greek katárrhous, a derivative of the verb katarrhein, a compound formed from the prefix katá ‘down’ (as in cataract) and the… …   Word origins

  • catarrh — noun Etymology: Middle English catarre, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French catarrhe, from Late Latin catarrhus, from Greek katarrhous, from katarrhein to flow down, from kata + rhein to flow more at stream Date: 15th century… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • catarrh — catarrhal, catarrhous, adj. catarrhally, adv. /keuh tahr /, n. Pathol. inflammation of a mucous membrane, esp. of the respiratory tract, accompanied by excessive secretions. [1350 1400; ME < LL catarrhus < Gk katárrous lit., down flowing, equiv.… …   Universalium

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