How To Clear Catarrh From Head

Catarrh is the medical term for a build up of mucus in the back of the nose, throat or sinuses. It is often referred to by doctors as a 'postnasal drip'. If your symptoms include a build up of mucus and a constantly stuffy nose, you might be suffering from catarrh.

Catarrh is an inflammation of mucous membranes in your airways, and typically affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses. Catarrh can be extremely frustrating, and may be difficult to get rid of, but the good news is that it's not considered to be serious and there are a number of treatment options available.

GP Dr Roger Henderson looks at the causes, symptoms and best treatment options for catarrh:

What is catarrh?

Doctors usually define catarrh as an excess of thick phlegm or mucus in one of the airways or cavities of the body.

This most commonly occurs in the sinuses at the front of the face either side of the nose, but can also occur in the throat, ears or chest.

Although catarrh is not a condition in itself, it's often a symptom of other conditions such as a cold, hay fever or other types of allergy-triggered problem, or nasal polyps (fleshy swellings inside the nose).

Catarrh causes

Catarrh is caused by the body's natural defences – the immune system – reacting to an infection or irritation. When this occurs, it sends white blood cells to the source of the infection or irritation, which then releases molecules that cause the mucous membranes to swell and produce mucus.

The swelling also narrows the cavity, resulting in further congestion and this catarrh can be clear and runny or thick and coloured.

Catarrh is caused by the body's natural defences – the immune system – reacting to an infection or irritation.

For reasons that are unknown, some people have abnormally sensitive blood vessels that react to environmental triggers, such as cigarette smoke and pollution. This causes the affected blood vessels to swell in a similar way to an infection or allergic reaction and it is this swelling leads to congestion and catarrh – it is known as vasomotor rhinitis or non-allergic rhinitis. Cigarette smoke and pollution are common triggers for this, with others including perfume, alcohol, spicy food, changes in the weather and stress.

PeopleImages Getty Images

Catarrh symptoms

For most people the symptoms of catarrh include the following:

A blocked or 'stuffy' nose
A runny nose
Mucus that runs down the back of your throat
An irritating cough
Headache
Loss of smell or taste
Pain in the face
Fatigue
Mild hearing loss or a crackling sensation in the middle ear

Catarrh treatment

Most catarrh cases require no specific treatment. But if it does not clear up on its own, treatment then depends on the underlying cause. Try the following:

Decongestant medicines

These can help relieve a blocked nose by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in your nose. These are available from pharmacies without a prescription but should not be used for more than a few days before seeking advice as they can occasionally make the congestion worse if used for too long.

Decongestants do not usually cause side-effects and, if they do, they are likely to be mild, but may include irritation to the lining of the nose, nausea and headaches.

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation treatment may also help. This involves inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water and can help to soften and loosen any mucus in the nasal cavities.

Some people find that adding menthol crystals or eucalyptus oil to the water also helps. Steam inhalation is not recommended as a suitable treatment for children due to the risk of scalding.

When to see a doctor

Most cases of catarrh do not require any medical attention as they usually clear up within a few days once your body fights off the underlying infection.

However, if your catarrh persists over a number of weeks then make an appointment to see your GP, as they may then want to rule out other conditions such as nasal polyps or to find if your catarrh is being caused by an allergy.

What might my doctor do?

Your GP may examine your nose to check that there are no nasal polyps and may also want to check that the catarrh is not the result of an allergy.

They may ask whether your symptoms are worse in particular environments or at certain times of the day or year. This will help them to pinpoint a possible allergen such as pollen.

If you have small nasal polyps (fleshy growths in your nose) it may be possible to shrink them using a nasal spray that contains steroids, but larger polyps may need to be removed with surgery.

Last updated: 14-08-2020

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io