Catarrh

A term, not strictly medical, for inflammation of the air passages of the nose and throat. The symptoms under the general heading "catarrh" vary according to what the patient means by the word, but they usually include one ore more of the following: blocked nose, runny nose, facial discomfort due to sinusitis, hearing difficulty due to obstruction, sore throat, and cough.

Ca*tarrh" (?), n. [L. catarrhus, Gr. , , a running down, rheum, fr. ; 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 quality of mucus secreted; as catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the bladder.

⇒ In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron, the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.

© Webster 1913.