Pathologists define catarrh as an inflammation of a mucous membrane. The thickening mucus is a result of a membrane being inflamed. Catarrh may be acute or chronic. Catarrh of the nasal mucous membrane is known as rhinitis. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes results in bronchitis or pulmonary catarrh.
Hay fever is the result of the mucous membrane of the eyes and air passages being inflamed.
Asthma, sufficative catarrh, is the congestive swelling of the bronchial mucous membranes which narrows the lumen of the bronchial tubes. Cystitis, inflammation of the bladder. Gastritis, inflammation of the stomach. Inflammation of the eustacian tube, catarrh of the ear, otitis. Endocolitis, inflammation of the mucus membrane of the colon.