Nose Catarrh
Important Information about Nose Catarrh
What is nose catarrh? Catarrh is defined by the Mosby’s Medical Dictionary as “inflammation of the mucous membranes with discharge, especially inflammation of the air passages of the nose and the trachea.” It is also sometimes referred to as rhinitis.
A runny nose and postnasal drip are the most obvious symptoms of catarrh. The problem is causes either by the common cold or because of an allergic reaction. In both cases the human immune system in its attempt to face the infection or irritation sends additional white blood cells to the source of the difficulty. These cells end up causing a swelling in the linings of the nose, in the case of nose catarrh, and this leads to excessive mucus production and to a narrowing of the nasal passage. This contributes to the sense of excessive fluids and the feeling of having a blocked nosed. The watery nose, the puffed sensation around the nose and eyes and the feeling of a heavy-head are all related to this.
There has been no scientific explanation yet of why some people are prone to allergic reactions. While most of us are bothered by dust and mites, some of us have higher levels of reaction and this is apparent when the symptoms of nose catarrh kick into full gear. There are others who experience these symptoms when faced with excessive smoke, strong perfumes, stress and even spicy food. These people have sensitive blood vessels which appear to swell when faced with some of these triggers and this leads to the excessive mucus production discussed earlier.
There are also occasions when a growth in the nasal passage, such as a polyp, can lead to the catarrh symptoms. A doctor will talk to the patient and perform a physical examination before arriving at a diagnosis. In case a polyp is discovered, that problem will have to be dealt with to eliminate the catarrh symptoms.
In the case of a cold or an allergic reaction, the symptoms can be handled using a decongestant. The patient has the choice of a nasal spray or a nasal decongestant. While the nasal spray is immediately effective the oral medication tends to be effective for a longer stretch. In either case, it is not advisable to use these medicines for prolonged periods of time. So those dealing with chronic nose catarrh should work on avoiding triggers that bring on the symptoms.
A home remedy that is effective in dealing with the excess mucus is steaming. While this is not a good idea for young kids, adult can find significant relief from the symptoms with steam inhalation. Boiling a pot of water and then inhaling the steam helps clear the passages and relieves the sensation of stuffiness. Adding eucalyptus oil or menthol to this water is said to help even more. Given the risk of scalding, it is important to be very attentive and careful when attempting steam inhalation.
Nose catarrh can be a disorienting and very bothersome problem although it is not a major health risk or disease. So those who have to deal with the symptoms over a long term are sometimes prescribed antihistamines which will help suppress the body’s reaction. So even when faced with allergic reaction producing stimuli the patient will be able to handle the situation without having to deal with a break out of sneezing or a runny nose.
There are also some treatments in alternative medical systems such as homeopathy, acupuncture and Ayurveda which approach the problem as a holistic health issue. So, there is a possibility of handling the problem through a change in diet and life-style habits for those willing to explore these other systems of healing.