Catarrh And Always Have Tickly Cough

[pusskin]

Hi Abers,
When you have catarrh, how do you help to get rid of it.
Drives me nuts, so have returned to take accasional Sudafed Decongestants, and clears my head in very short time.

Any tips for me Abers ?

[Sqad]

Sorry pusskin....can't help you.......catarrh is a layman's term and is a symptom of some disorder. Too many disorders to go into, but just a few common ones.

Respiratory infections, bacterial or viral usually goes when the infection goes and if it doesn't it may need medical attention.

Smokers have catarrh....stop smoking.

Working in dust atmospheres may cause the problem.

Moving from a warm atmosphere to a cold one e.g winters in the UK, going from a warm house to the outside.

ANxiety states can cause catarrh.

Allergies can can cause the problem.

Vasomotor rhinits.....medical term which means "We have no idea."

So you see pusskin, I have been of little help.

I am not a great believer in decongestants taken in tablet form, but prefer nasal sprays or douches. Some on the market contain sea water which is supposed to help.
Clanad is an American ABer who is fond of an American product, the name of which I have forgotten, but if he sees this thread he will inform us.

[boxtops]

I don't like Sudafed, it's said to raise the blood pressure....

OH and I have a prescription spray from the GP which helps considerably with congestion.

[pusskin]

Many thanks Sqad and Boxie, really good information and much appreciated.
Have never been to doctors with this problem, but will ask in chemist about a nasal spray when i pop to the shops. x

[Anngel123]

The other thing you could try is cutting out dairy. I am allergic to house dust which gives me catarrh. I found that when I switched to goats' milk and cheese it became considerably better. Also, sniffing slightly salted water up your nostrils (yes I know it sounds disgusting) causes the catarrh to flow out of your nose, thus not blocking the sinus so much. There is a branded product Sterimar which contains sterilised sea water which does the same thing. But normal salt and water has the same effect. Just don't make it too salty. Also, it may be worth seeing a reflexologist as there is a specific area on the foot which stimulates drainage. Good luck!

[pusskin]

Thanks to you too Anggel, all advice is good, and maybe it is to do with what you eat too? Its just a thought.
I do have really bad sneezing fits now and again, and I could sneeze 10 --15 times, but doubt it is dust.

[pugthedog]

hubby teaspoon of vinegar with warm water twice a day say's it helps