I'm leaving worried matriarch, suffering with blocked airways (7)

I believe the answer is:

catarrh

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'with blocked airways' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for catarrh that I've seen before include "Nasal congestion" , "Nasal discharge of mucus" , "cold symptom" , "(Inflammation causing) excessive mucus" , "Problem with cold" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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