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Sinuses and Respiration
Coughing
It's one of the most common medical complaints, and each year many thousands of people - up to 10% of the population by some estimates - seek their doctor's help for it. Often, however, using one or two natural treatments may be all that's necessary to relieve a troublesome cough.
What is it?
Despite its seemingly unhealthy sounds, a cough is a vital bodily function. Even though you may not realise it, you probably cough once or twice every hour to clear your throat and air passages of debris. Coughing causes trouble only when an environmental substance or an illness makes you hack uncontrollably. Coughs can be dry and nonproductive, meaning that they bring up no fluids or sputum; or they can be wet and productive, expelling mucus and the germs or irritants it contains.
Croup
Croup has an unmistakable sound — a harsh, repetitive cough similar to the noise of a seal barking. Attacks of croup often jar children awake and leave them frightened and gasping for breath. Croup can be scary for parents, too, but it's usually not serious.
What is it?
The harsh, barking cough is the result of swelling around the vocal cords (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). When the cough reflex forces air through this narrowed passage, the vocal cords vibrate with a barking noise. Because children have small airways to begin with, those younger than age 5 are most susceptible to croup.
Hay Fever
Most likely you or someone you know has allergies. The telltale itchy, puffy, watery eyes and red, stuffy nose signal changes in the seasons in homes and workplaces across the country. What these people suffer from is allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.
What is it?
The medical name for this condition refers to stuffy and itchy nose, the most common symptom. Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your immune system's response to foreign material in the air you breathe. Hay fever usually refers to allergies to outdoor, airborne materials such as pollens and molds.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. The cause is a strain of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This virus enters your body through small breaks in your skin or mucous membranes.
What is it?
The illness is characterized by pain, itching and sores in your genital area. Sexual contact is the primary way that genital HSV spreads. It's almost impossible to get the infection through contact with toilets, towels or other objects used by an infected person, because the virus dies quickly outside the body.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Although acute laryngitis usually is nothing more than an irritation and inflammation from a virus, persistent hoarseness can signal a more serious problem.
What is it?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) due to overuse, irritation or infection. The larynx is a framework of cartilage, muscles and mucous membranes that forms the entrance of your windpipe (trachea). Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage.
Sinusitis
Each year thousands of people develp sinus trouble. The sinus cavities produce mucus to help keep the respiratory system free of debris. When the sinuses become inflamed or blocked, the flow of mucus is hindered and a number of painful symptoms can result.
What is it?
The sinuses are four pairs of openings in the bones at the front of the skull, located above the eyes, on either side of the nose, behind the bridge of the nose and behind the cheekbones. They are lined with a thin membrane that secretes mucus, which passes into the nose through small openings in the sinuses. Mucus sweeps away inhaled dust, pollen, germs and other matter, and then drains into the back of the throat, where it is swallowed. (Most dangerous germs are destroyed by stomach acid.)
Snoring
Loud and frequent snoring can be more than just a nuisance to your partner. This nighttime annoyance may indicate a serious health condition, and it can disrupt your household and strain your relationships.
What is it?
Snoring is common. More than one-third of adults snore at least a few nights each week. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, creating hoarse or harsh sounds.
Tonsillitis
Open your mouth wide in front of a mirror. Do you see your tonsils? They're located on each side of your throat, just behind and above your tongue. Years ago, many young children had their tonsils removed. In fact, surgery was once the standard treatment for recurrent tonsillitis — inflammation of the tonsils caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
What is it?
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by an infection. In tonsillitis, the tonsils are enlarged, red, and often coated (either partly or entirely) by a substance that is yellow, gray, or white. Tonsillitis usually occurs as part of a pharyngitis (throat infection). Tonsilitis usually begins with sudden sore throat and painful swallowing. Sometimes, tonsillitis reoccurs, and may cause difficulty breathing. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend taking them out. This procedure of removing tonsils from the throat is called a tonsillectomy.
