Catarrh
Description
Catarrh is an inflammation of any mucous membrane. The term was formerly applied to the inflammation of mucous membranes, especially of the head and throat. More popularly, but still inaccurately, catarrh is called chronic rhinitis. Rhinitis refers specifically to the inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.
Generally, treatments include rest and antibiotics. However, there is much diversity since inflamed mucous membranes can occur in several places and for different reasons.
Causes
Rhinitis
Hay fever
Bronchitis
Tracheitis
Cold viruses
Signs & Symptoms
Some symptoms of CATARRH include:
Progressive nasal obstruction
Inflammation of mucous passageways
Polyps on mucous membranes
Coughing
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function: Immune System Support
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Bioflavonoids | 200 - 500 mg | 50 - 300 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1,000 - 3,000 mg | 500 - 2,000 mg |
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Catarrh, or symptoms which resemble those of a head cold, can be the result of chronic iodine intoxication. Toxicity occurs if intake exceeds 1,000 micrograms per day over a prolonged period of time.
Catarrh or rhinitis can be symptoms of a food allergy. Other manifestations are asthma, dermatitis, diarrhea, vomiting, and/or eczema.
The most common allergy-producing foods are: fruit juices, nuts, chocolate, and milk. According to one source, more than 140 foods have been shown to cause allergic reactions.
The Elimination Diet should be used to identify the offending substance or substances so that the allergen can be excluded from the diet.
Homeopathic Remedy
Catarrh - nasal, intestinal, throat
| 1.* Anemopsis californica | tincture locally/6X per os |
| 2.* Pulsatilla nigricans | 15C to 30C |
| 3.* Kali bichromicum | 15C |
Advanced , by symptom:
| 1. Graphites | crusts inside nose, eczema. |
| 2. Hydrastis canadensis | runny nose, thick mucus. |
| 3. Kali muriaticum. | thick, white mucus. |
| 4. Natrum Muriaticum | transparent mucus like egg white. |
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Tissue Salts
| Calc. Fluor. | bronchial catarrh, tiny yellow, tough lumps; |
| Calc. Phos. | albuminous (egg-white); |
| Ferr. Phos. | catarrhal fever; |
| Kali Mur. | white, thick phlegm; |
| Kali Sulf. | yellow, slimy, mucus; |
| Nat. Mur. | watery, transparent discharge; |
| Nat. Sulf. | greenish mucus; |
| Silicea | chronic catarrh., offensive discharge; |
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
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Elecampane
Goldenseal
Lovage
Mullein
Peppermint
Sage
Wild cherry bark
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Peppermint is one example of an aromatic herb. The German Commission E recommends several e.g. Camphor essence, Eucalyptus and Niaouli essence oil.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Benzoin Essence, | Chamomile Essence, |
| Clary Sage Essence, | Eucalyptus Essence, |
| Frankincense, | Hyssop Essence, |
| Niaouli Essence, | Peppermint Essence, |
| Pine Essence | Terebinth essence |
The German Commission E recommends several e.g. Camphor essence, Eucalyptus, Larch Turpentine and Niaouli essence oil.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Related Health Conditions
| Asthma | Bronchitis |
| Cold | Cough |
| Hay fever | Infection |
| Rhinitis | Syphilis |
| Tracheitis | Tuberculosis |
Abstracts
Common cold
Examined the hypothesis that diverse ties to friends, family, work, and community are associated with increased host resistance to infection.
Outcome measures consisted of: colds (illness in the presence of a verified infection), mucus production, mucociliary clearance function, and amount of viral replication.
Those with more types of social ties were less susceptible to common colds, produced less mucus, were more effective in ciliary clearance of their nasal passages, and shed less virus.
Susceptibility to colds decreased in a dose-response manner with increased diversity of the social network.
More diverse social networks were associated with greater resistance to upper respiratory illness.
Cohen S et al., Social ties and susceptibility to the common cold. JAMA, 1997 Jun 25, 277:24, 1940-4.
Dried fruits and teas
Workers exposed to different organic aerosols may develop respiratory symptoms and lung function changes.
Significantly more exposed workers than controls reacted with positive skin tests to at least one of the occupational allergens. Only the response to sage was significantly greater in exposed (60.0%) than in control workers (20.0%) (P < .01). Thirty percent of these workers had elevated IgE level (compared with 2.5% of control workers).
Higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were noted in exposed compared with control workers. The exposed workers with positive skin tests had significantly higher prevalences of dyspnea and nasal catarrh than those with negative skin tests.
Data suggest that following exposures to aerosols of dried fruits and teas some workers develop deleterious immunologic and respiratory changes.
Zuskin E et al: Respiratory function and immunologic status in workers processing dried fruits and teas. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 1996 Nov, 77:5, 417-22.
Electrophoretic pattern
Various proteins have been detected in human nasal mucus, but their electrophoretic pattern has not been extensively investigated.
The electrophoretic pattern of nasal mucus obtained under denaturing conditions and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250, reveals 17 distinguishable areas into which protein bands are divided, with no significant variations from one individual to another.
A through definition of the protein pattern of nasal mucus might prove useful for detecting anomalies in its composition, for example, in cases of olfactory disorders.
Maremmani C et al., Electrophoretic pattern of physiological human nasal secretions. Rhinology, 1996 Sep, 34:3, 147-50.
Hairdressers (Helsinki, Finland)
Hairdressers are exposed to many irritative and allergenic substances capable of causing occupational respiratory symptoms and diseases. The self reported prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases was studied, and the risks among hairdressers compared with saleswomen was estimated.
A response rate of 80.5% (355/440) was obtained for hairdressers and 82.2% (583/709) for saleswomen. Atopy, smoking, chronic illnesses, type of work, working hours, working conditions, personal and professional use of hair products, and the use of personal protective devices were assessed. The outcome variables were self reported symptoms of the upper and lower respiratory tract. These were used to define chronic bronchitis, and asthma, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis diagnosed by a physician.
There was a considerable difference in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis; 6.8% in hairdressers versus 1.9% in saleswomen.
No association was found between work as a hairdresser and asthma, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis. Also the prevalence of rhinitis, rhinitis with eye symptoms, cough with phlegm, dyspnoea, and dyspnoea accompanied by cough was increased among hairdressers.
Results indicate an increased prevalence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms among hairdressers. Allergenic and irritative chemicals in hairdressing are likely candidates explaining the difference found between the hairdressers and controls. Work related reasons should be considered when a hairdresser presents with airway symptoms. Preventive actions are needed to improve the working conditions and personal protection.
Leino T et al: Self reported respiratory symptoms and diseases among hairdressers. Occup Environ Med, 1997 Jun, 54:6, 452-5.
History (10th century)
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is considered a disease of the postindustrial revolution era. Clinical reports of patients are readily available from the 19th century starting with John Bostock's description of his own summer symptoms. Also patients with "rose catarrh' are described in the 16th and 17th century.
Bungy GA et al., Razi's report about seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) from the 10th century AD. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1996 Jul, 110:3, 219-24.
Nasal physiology
The complex interaction of neurotransmitters, vascular supply, and mucociliary function constitute one of the main defense mechanisms of the respiratory tract, modulating airflow and response to noxious assault.
The existence of a reciprocating cycle of congestion and decongestion has been recognized for over a century, although its exact function is unknown.
Acoustic rhinometry has demonstrated that the cycle is present in the majority of adults, in children of 3 years, and persists after cessation of nasal airflow. It may, however, be overridden by many environmental and pathological situations.
By contrast, the defense function of mucociliary clearance is well-established, and while also subject to environmental influences, relies upon an innate and cyclical pattern of mucus flow from within the sinuses and nasal cavity into the oropharynx. The content of the mucus is fundamental to its protective function and the control of mucociliary clearance intimately related to autonomic activity.
Lund VJ: Nasal physiology: neurochemical receptors, nasal cycle, and ciliary action. Allergy Asthma Proc, 1996 Jul-Aug, 17:4, 179-84.
Nasal polyps
Patients with nasal polyposis complain of nasal blockage and rhinorrhoea, which may be due to impaired mucociliary clearance. The saccharine clearance time and ciliary beat frequency of samples of ciliated epithelium from patients with nasal polyps was measured.
Polyp fluid was found to increase ciliary beat frequency.
Thus, where mucociliary clearance is reduced, it is likely to be due to abnormalities of mucus rather than impaired ciliary activity.
Slater A et al., Mucociliary function in patients with nasal polyps. Clin Otolaryngol, 1996 Aug, 21:4, 343-7.
Olive oil
In the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, nasal instillation of olive oil to infants and children in the recumbent position is practised to relieve nasal congestion. Aspiration of olive oil results in lipoid pneumonia resistant to antimicrobial treatment.
A series of 5 children, aged 4-72 months, with olive oil-induced lipoid pneumonia is presented.
For infants and children in this area with persistent pulmonary infiltrates not responsive to antimicrobials, the differential diagnosis of not only animal fat (ghee, clarified butter) but also of olive oil lipoid pneumonia must be considered.
Annobil SH et al., Olive oil aspiration pneumonia (lipoid) in children. Trop Med Int Health, 1997 Apr, 2:4, 383-8.
Staph infection
Colonization of human nasal mucosa with Staphylococcus aureus sets the stage for subsequent systemic infection.
Binding to human nasal mucin occurs in part via specific adhesin-receptor interactions involving bacterial proteins and the carbohydrate moiety in mucin. These experiments suggest that S. aureus binding to mucin may be critical for colonization of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
Shuter J ett al., Staphylococcus aureus binding to human nasal mucin. Infect Immun, 1996 Jan, 64:1, 310-8.
Sugar industry
Three hundred and thirty five Nigerians working in a sugar industry were studied using a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, physical examination of the chest and chest x-ray examination in a selected group.
The frequency of occurrence of cough alone, cough with sputum, morning phlegm, nasal catarrh and chest pain were found to be statistically significant only in the control group, contrary to expectation. Chest signs were absent in all except two workers who had bilateral basal crackles and the other had features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease respectively.
The rarity of specific respiratory disease among Africans working in a sugar industry, despite their exposure to dust, calls for further studies to ascertain if they have any special protective mechanism(s).
Tanimowo MO Respiratory disease among Nigerians working in a sugar industry. East Afr Med J, 1996 Aug, 73:8, 556-9.
References
Annobil SH et al., Olive oil aspiration pneumonia (lipoid) in children. Trop Med Int Health, 1997 Apr, 2:4, 383-8.
Baldwin CM et al: The association of respiratory problems in a community sample with self-reported chemical intolerance. Eur J Epidemiol, 1997 Jul, 13:5, 547-52.
Berkow, R. 1977. The Merck Manual. Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories Pub., Rahway, New Jersey. 2165 pp.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Bungy GA et al., Razi's report about seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) from the 10th century AD. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 1996 Jul, 110:3, 219-24.
Ingelfinger, F.J. 1980. Dorland's Medical Dictionary. Saunders Press Pub., Philadelphia. 740 pp.
Jaakkola MS et al: Effect of passive smoking on the development of respiratory symptoms in young adults: an 8-year longitudinal study. J Clin Epidemiol, 1996 May, 49:5, 581-6.
Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.
Leino T et al: Self reported respiratory symptoms and diseases among hairdressers. Occup Environ Med, 1997 Jun, 54:6, 452-5.
Lund VJ: Nasal physiology: neurochemical receptors, nasal cycle, and ciliary action. Allergy Asthma Proc, 1996 Jul-Aug, 17:4, 179-84.
Maremmani C et al., Electrophoretic pattern of physiological human nasal secretions. Rhinology, 1996 Sep, 34:3, 147-50.
Margolis, 1984. Food allergies, Nutritional Management: The Johns Hopkins Handbook. Walser, Imbembo, Margolis & Elfert, eds. Saunders Co., Phila.
Metzner, J. Influence of Flavonoids on Capillary Permeability, Carageenin Edema, and Histamine Spasms. Agents Actions, 10, 1982.
Pauling, Linus C. Vitamin C: The Common Cold And The Flu. San Francisco: California: W. Freeman and Sons, 1976.
Scott, J.A. On the Biochemical Similarities of Ascorbic Acid and Interferon. Journal Of Theoretical Biology, 98 (1982).
Shuter J ett al., Staphylococcus aureus binding to human nasal mucin. Infect Immun, 1996 Jan, 64:1, 310-8.
Slater A et al., Mucociliary function in patients with nasal polyps. Clin Otolaryngol, 1996 Aug, 21:4, 343-7.
Tanimowo MO Respiratory disease among Nigerians working in a sugar industry. East Afr Med J, 1996 Aug, 73:8, 556-9.
Trevino RJ: Air pollution and its effect on the upper respiratory tract and on allergic rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1996 Feb, 114:2, 239-41
Zuskin E et al: Respiratory function and immunologic status in workers processing dried fruits and teas. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 1996 Nov, 77:5, 417-22.
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