Intestinal parasites are worms and other intestinal parasites which infest human beings that populate the gastro-intestinal tract. Children are more often infested with intestinal worms than adults. In humans, they are often spread by poor hygiene related to feces, contact with animals, or poorly cooked food containing parasites. The major groups of parasites include protozoan and parasitic worms.

Symptoms:

          The usual symptoms of intestinal worms are diarrhoea, foul breath, dark circles under the eyes, constant desire for food, and restlessness at night with bad dreams, anemia, and headaches. Round-worms may give rise to inflammation of the intestine and lungs, nausea, vomiting, loss of weight, fever, nervousness, and irritability.

            Threadworms may cause intense itching in the area around the rectum. They may also cause periodic bouts of diarrhoea alternating with constipation, loss of weight, cough, and fever. Hookworms may give rise to anaemia and nutritional disorders.

Causes:

        The eggs of these parasites are introduced into the human system through the medium of contaminated food, water and dirty fingers. When the organisms are swallowed, they move into the intestine, where they can reproduce and cause disease.

Roundworms are caused by eating contaminated food. Threadworms may enter the body from dirty fingers and food. Hookworms enter the human body through bare foot walking on infected earth. Tapeworms are transmitted to the body through undercooked flesh foods or foods contaminated by dogs. The real cause of intestinal worms, however, is faulty living.

Prevention:

  Healthy immune system is the best defense against parasites and disease. Some of the things to reduce the risk of parasitic infections are:

  Wash all fruits and vegetables. Scrape off the wax substance on the outer surface on any fruit or vegetable with a knife before washing.

Avoid eating grapes with open splits.

Washing in ozonated water, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach will kill parasites.

Do not eat raw or uncooked meats or fish.

  Check for worms, especially on fish. Spray with hydrogen peroxide or wash in ozonated water before cooking.

Keep all work surfaces clean.

Drink pure water

Practice good personal hygiene.

Wash your hands before eating and after going to the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets.

Keep your fingernails short and clean. Parasites can live for two months under the fingernails.

Do not walk barefoot on warm, moist soil or while working in the garden.

  Avoid swimming in rivers, lakes, ponds, or public swimming pools.

Avoid swallowing or drinking the water while swimming anywhere.

Avoid swimming if cuts or open sores are present.

Diet:

        The treatment for intestinal worms should begin with diet. The patient should be kept on an exclusive fresh-fruit diet for four or five days. He may adopt a well-balanced light diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, milk, and whole meal bread. In some cases, the all-fruit diet may have to he repeated at intervals and in obstinate cases, the patient should resort to a short fast of raw fruit and vegetable juices. 
Use more cloves with every meal. Adding some cloves to foods will help kill the eggs from parasites in the intestinal tract. Cloves added to coffee or herbal teas add a little different taste. The diet should exclude fatty foods such as butter, cream, and oil, and all flesh foods.

Treatment:

                    Warm-water enema one litre of water should be boiled thoroughly with two spoons of Cumin (Jheera). After 250 ml water is evaporated, should be taken early morning for 10 days. Also similar treatment with boiled water of coriander seeds (dhania).During the all-fruit or fasting period, the bowel should be cleansed daily with a warm-water enema.

Home remedies:

                              The use of coconut is most effective in the treatment of intestinal worms. It is an ancient remedy for expelling all kinds of intestinal worms. A tablespoon of freshly ground coconut should be taken at breakfast, followed by 30 to 60 ml of castor oil mixed with 250 to 375 ml of lukewarm milk after three hours. This process may be repeated till the cure is complete.

Garlic has been used for expelling intestinal worms. Both fresh garlic and its oil are effective. Chew three cloves of garlic every morning.

    Carrots are valuable in the elimination of threadworms among children as they are offensive to all parasites. A small cup of grated carrot taken every morning, with no other food added to the meal, can clear these worms quickly.

    Papaya seeds are also useful for this purpose. They are rich in a substance called caricin which is a very effective medicine for expelling roundworms. The seeds should be powdered and taken in doses of one teaspoon with one cup of milk or water daily in the morning on an empty stomach. The alkaloid carpaine found in papaya leaves also has the power to destroy or expel intestinal worms. An infusion can be made by pouring 250 ml of boiling water over 15 gm of dry leaves. This can be taken with honey.

                        The bark, both of the root and the stems of the pomegranate tree, is well known for its anthelmintic properties of destroying parasitic worms. A cold decoction of the bark, preferably fresh bark, should be given in quantities of 90 to 180 ml three times, at intervals of one hour, to an adult. A purgative should be given after the last dose. The dose for children is 30 to 60 ml. The decoction is also used for expelling tapeworms.

                        The seeds of ripe pumpkin are useful in intestinal worms, especially tapeworms. One tablespoon of the seeds should be peeled and crushed, and then infused in 250 ml of boiling water and drunk. This will kill the parasites and help in expelling the tapeworms. It will be necessary to fast for a day and empty the intestines by taking the juice of boiled dry prunes. The next day, three or four tumblers of the pumpkin seed infusion should be taken.

  Herbal Remedies:                                   

                                    The herb wormwood is an ancient cure for expelling intestinal worms. The flowering tops are used as a drug to kill intestinal worms. They are usually powdered and given in eight to sixteen gram doses daily for roundworms and tapeworms. The oil distilled from this plant also possesses the property to kill worms. It should be mixed with olive oil in doses of 50 to 100 ml for this purpose. An infusion of the herb can also be prepared by mixing 2 ml of wormwood oil in 120 ml of water, and be given as an enema for killing worms in the rectum.

                                  The herb belleric myroblan, mixed with the seeds of the herb butea (palas) on a 50:50 basis is an excellent anthelmintic. It should be given in doses of one teaspoon thrice a day. It helps remove all intestinal parasites. The seeds of butea can also be administered alone with beneficial results in expelling intestinal worms. One teaspoon of seeds may be given either in the form of powder or paste with one teaspoon of honey, thrice daily. They are especially beneficial in the treatment of roundworms and tapeworms.

                              The leaves, bark, rout-bark, fruit, and the flowers of vasaka tree also help in removing intestinal parasites. A decoction of the root and bark can be prepared by boiling 30 gm of the root and bark in 500 ml of water, till it is reduced by one-third. This decoction may be given in doses of 30ml twice or thrice daily for two or three days. The juice of the fresh leaves can also be used in doses of a teaspoon thrice a day for three days. Another valuable remedy for expelling intestinal worms is the herb calamus.

Also visit http://www.herbsandcures.com

Classification:

            Classification of Sleep Disorders does not recognize a category of primary insomnia but discusses the following 3 free-standing insomnia subgroups such as Psycho physiological insomnia, Idiopathic insomnia and Sleep state misperception.

              Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that is not attributable to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause. The predominant symptom is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or nonrestrictive sleep for at least 1 month. The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.  Sleep disturbance varies from mild to severe.

Insomnia may manifest as difficulty falling asleep or as frequent nocturnal awakenings.

Patients often find that they can sleep well anywhere else but in their own bedroom).

Patients with this type of insomnia tend to be more tense and dissatisfied compared to people who sleep well. Emotionally, they typically are repressors, denying problems.

Idiopathic Insomnia:           

                                                          Insomnia is long-standing, typically beginning in early childhood. Patients often present with other hard-to-localize neurological signs and symptoms such as difficulties with attention or concentration, hyperactivity, and mild non focal electroencephalographic abnormalities. These individuals often show atypical reactions, such as hypersensitivity or insensitivity, to medications. Insomnia tends to persist over the entire life span and can be aggravated by stress or tension.

Sleep state misperception: Patients report insomnia subjectively, while sleep duration and quality are completely normal.

Causes:

                          There are many causes of insomnia including:

·      stress

·        environmental noise

·        extreme temperature changes in the surrounding environment

·        sleep/wake schedule problems such as those due to jet lag

·        medication side effects

·        depression

·        underlying health problems such as arthritis, kidney disease, heart failure, asthma, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, Parkinson's disease and hyperthyroidism

Tips for good sleep:

Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillow.

Try to go to sleep at the same time.

Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine close to bedtime.

Exercise regularly.

Finish eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

Follow a routine to help relax before sleep.
Make your surroundings conducive to sleep.

Treatment:

                    Drug therapy may be helpful for the short-term management of insomnia. Benzodiazepines are commonly used for the management of sleep disorders. Other drugs used in the short-term management of insomnia include a unique agent called Ambien(zolpidem), barbiturates, sedating antihistamines, and a new drug called Sonata Dromias contains a proprietary blend of natural ingredients that help you get to sleep faster and maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

Home Remedies:

  Cookies, nighttime snack of milk may help insomia. Sugary foods eaten about 30 minutes before bedtime can actually act as a sedative.

Epsom salts- Naturopathic practitioners recommend this remedy for sleepless nights. Add 1 to 2 cups Epsom salts to a hot bath and soak for about 15 to 20 minutes before hitting the hay.

Honey- Folk remedies often advise people with sleeping difficulty to eat a little honey. It has the same sedative effect as sugar and may get you to bed more quickly. Try adding 1 tablespoon honey to some decaffeinated herbal tea or even to your warm milk for a relaxing pre-sleep drink.

Toast- High carbohydrate, low-protein bedtime snacks can make sleeping easier. Carbohydrate-rich foods tend to be easy on the tummy and can ease the brain into blissful slumber.

Milk-Drinking a glass of milk, especially a glass of warm milk, before bedtime is an age-old treatment for sleeping troubles

  Herbal Remedies:             

  Dill seed, herb is often used as a folk cure for insomnia. Its essential oil has the most sedative-producing properties.

Fibromyalgia is an effective remedy for insomnia.

Valerian Root Extract is excellent remedy for anxiety, nervous tension, stress, insomnia and restlessness.

Chamomile and Jujube are widely used for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety.

Magnesium supplements may be helpful for relieving restless leg syndrome (RLS) and for treating insomnia.

Niacin can be used to stimulate a healthy nervous system, thus easing symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia. 

Passion Flower is the herb for treating intransigent insomnia. It is also used as a sedative in nervous disorders (including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin), difficulties in sleeping, and anxiety or restlessness.

Valerian is a common ingredient which is used as a mild sedative and sleep aid for nervous tension and insomnia.               

Also visit http://www.herbsandcures.com

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses).Flu often termed as a seasonal problem is very common during late fall and winters. Flu generally occurs in small outbreaks but sometimes they can turn out to be a human pandemic infecting a lot of people at a time because flu virus is easily transmittable through cough or sneeze through the air.

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms of influenza (flu) appear suddenly and often include:

·              Fever of 100 F to 104 F, which can reach 106 F when symptoms first develop.

·              Shaking chills.

·              Body aches and muscle pain (often severe), commonly in the back, arms, or legs.

·              Headache.

·              Pain when you move your eyes.

·              Fatigue and loss of appetite.

·              A dry cough, runny nose, and a dry or sore throat.

CAUSES:

The flu is caused by three types (strains) of viruses - influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) that strike every 10 to 40 years, whereas type B causes smaller, more localized outbreaks. Type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms.

TRANSMISSION:

  The influenza virus is generally passed from person to person by airborne transmission. Influenza virus is spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by having direct contact with an infected person's secretions.   Handling household articles such as doorknobs, pens, pencils, keyboards, telephone receivers, and eating or drinking utensils that have been in contact with an infected person may sometimes spread the disease.

RISK FACTORS:

The following groups are at increased risk for serious illness with the flu, or in contact with those at high risk, and should receive vaccine:

·              All people 50 years of age and older  

·              Adults and children with long-term heart or lung problems, including asthma

·              Residents of nursing homes and other facilities housing patients of any age who have serious long-term health problems

·              People who have kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, anemia, cancer or immunological disorders and other medical conditions for which they are under the close supervision of a doctor, including people with HIV inflection

·              Children aged 6 months to 18 years on long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection and

·              Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season.

TREATMENT:

To keep yourself away from this deadly disorder, take the yearly flu vaccine. Antivirals like Tamiflu, Relanza, Rimantadine and Amantadine are also very effective in the treatment of Flu. These drugs work by paralyzing the action of viruses in your body.

PREVENTION:

Vaccination: The single best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated in October or November every year

Antiviral Medications: Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir) can be used to prevent influenza.

Other Habits for Good Health: These steps can help prevent influenza and other illnesses:

·              Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·              Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

·              Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.

·              Washing your hands often with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand cleaner will help protect you from germs.

·              Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching contaminated things.

·              Stay home when you are sick.

·              Practice healthy habits

·              Get regular exercise, enough rest, and eat healthy balanced meals.

HOME REMEDIES:

Long Pepper

Half a teaspoon of the powder of long pepper, mixed with two teaspoons of honey and half a teaspoon of juice of ginger should be taken thrice a day. This will help greatly if taken in the initial stages of the disease.

Garlic

Garlic is useful as a general antiseptic and the patient should take as much as he can bear.

Turmeric

A teaspoon of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken three times a day.

Onion

Equal amounts of onion juice and honey should be mixed, and three or four teaspoons of this mixture should be taken daily in the treatment of this disease.

Ginger

A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic mixture which increases sweating and reduces fever in this disease. The fenugreek decoction may be prepared by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in half a litre of water, till it is reduced by one third.

Grapefruit

The juice of grapefruit has proved useful in this disease as it tones up the body and the digestive tract.

Basil Leaves

About one gram of green leaves of the basil plant should be boiled along with some ginger in half a litre of water till about half the water is left.

Finger Millet

Fumigation of the burnt flour of finger millet is useful in influenza. It should be inhaled gently in the treatment of this disease.

Honey

Drink a whole cup of honey by itself and then sleep... it gives you more energy.

  HERBAL REMEDIES:

ANISE Tea stimulates mucus secretion in lungs & throat.

BONESET - Expectorant.

CATNIP Tea relieves fever & digestive upset, relaxing effect.

CAYENNE can be added to fresh orange juice or soup to relieve congestion and increase mucus flow.

ECHINACEA is an excellent immune stimulant that relieves major flu symptoms.

ELDERBERRY prevents infections and shortens duration of flu.

EPHEDRA Opens bronchial passages.

GARLIC Is an antibacterial that helps prevent infection. Eaten raw or taken in capsules.

GINGER A tea made by steeping the fresh, chopped root in boiling water for 20 minutes is used to soothe throat and ease congestion.

MULLEIN   - Used as expectorant and to soothe sore throat.

TILDEN FLOWER Tea used for sore throat & headache.

ESSENTIAL OILS:

Some essential oils can be very helpful as well.

For severe congestion dab a bit of salve or aloe gel under the nose (to protect the sensitive tissue) and then apply a drop of essential oil of peppermint directly under the nose. Breathing in the vapors helps clear nasal passages, and alleviate nausea.

Ginger infused oil can be mixed with a few drops of eucalyptus oil to make a nice chest rub.

Cold Comfort Tea Recipe and Aromatherapy for Boosting Immunity are also used in treatment.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES:

Aconitum napellus: A flu that comes on suddenly and intensely—with fever, anxiety, constricted pupils, and strong thirst—is likely to respond to this remedy.

Apis mellifica: This remedy may be helpful if a person has dry fever that alternates with sweating, facial flushing, and a very sore throat with swollen tonsils.

Arsenicum album: A person who needs this remedy during flu feels chilly and exhausted, along with an anxious restlessness

Belladonna: Sudden, intense symptoms — including fever, red face, hot skin, and extreme sensitivity to light and jarring — suggest a need for this remedy.

Bryonia: When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful.

Eupatorium perforliatum: Flu with deep pain occurring in the legs or back (“as if the bones would break”) often responds to this remedy.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy may be helpful during flu with fever, headache, rosy cheeks, and a feeling of weariness.

Gelsemium: Symptoms of fatigue and achiness that come on gradually, increasing over several days, may indicate a need for this remedy.

Nux vomica: When this remedy is indicated in influenza, the person may have high fever, violent chills, strong nausea and cramping in the digestive tract.

Oscillococcinum (also called Anas barbariae): Oscillococcinum has strong antiviral effects.

Phosphorus: When this remedy is needed during flu, the person has a fever with an easily-flushing face, and feels very weak and dizzy.

Rhus toxicodendron: A person who needs this remedy during flu feels extremely restless. Fever is accompanied by bone and muscle aches.

Sulphur: This remedy may be useful if flu is very long-lasting or has some lingering symptoms—often after people have neglected to take good care of them.

Also visit http://www.herbsandcures.com

                Indigestion is discomfort or a burning feeling in the upper abdomen, often accompanied by nausea, abdominal bloating, belching, and sometimes vomiting. It is also  known as upset stomach or dyspepsia. People of all ages and of both sexes are affected by indigestion. An individual's risk is increased with excess alcohol consumption, use of drugs that may irritate the stomach, other functional disorders such as gastro esophageal reflux disease, and emotional problems such as anxiety or depression.

Symptoms:

                The person suffering from indigestion may have a pain or a burning feeling in the upper portion of the stomach, nausea, feeling bloated, sometimes uncontrollable burping, heartburn, feeling feverish, and a bitter taste in the mouth from stomach acid coming up into the esophagus rumbling in the stomach., sense of fullness after eating, a feeling as though something is lodged in the esophagus, pain and discomfort at the xiphoid region, sudden chills, comparable to those felt during fevers. Indigestion can be a sign of more serious disease, if a person has vomiting, weight loss, or appetite loss, black tarry stools or blood in vomit, severe pain in the upper right abdomen, discomfort unrelated to eating, indigestion accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm and symptoms that persist for more than 2 weeks.

Causes:

          Indigestion might be caused by a disease in the digestive tract such as ulcer or gastro esophageal reflux disease, but for many people, it results from eating too much, eating too quickly, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations Indigestion is caused by the excessive acid accumulation in the stomach, and over consumption of alcohol. There is a sphincter (muscle) at the join between the stomach and the esophagus. It relaxes to let food into the stomach but then tightens to stop stomach acid coming out and back up into the esophagus. Sometimes the sphincter doesn't work very well, allowing acid back up and causing the uncomfortable symptoms of indigestion.

            Some people have persistent indigestion that is not related to any of these factors. This type of indigestion is called functional or non ulcer dyspepsia which may be caused by a problem in the muscular squeezing action of the stomach (motility). Acid indigestion is a type of indigestion involving an excess of hydrochloric acid n the stomach. Frequent occurrence of acid indigestion can lead to ulcers.

Diagnosis:

                    To diagnose indigestion, the physician must first rule out any underlying conditions such as ulcers. He may have X-rays of the stomach or small intestine. He may also use an instrument to look closely at the inside of the stomach, referred to as an endoscope. An endoscope is a flexible tube that contains a light and a camera to produce images of the stomach and intestines in a procedure called endoscopy. A gastro copy is a similar procedure used to evaluate just the inside of the stomach.

Treatment:

                  As indigestion is a symptom rather than a disease, treatment usually depends upon the underlying condition causing the indigestion. Keep in mind that excess stomach acid does not cause indigestion, so using antacids will not help the indigestion. To treat indigestion caused by a functional problem in the digestive tract, the doctor may prescribe medicine that affects stomach motility. Avoiding foods and situations that cause indigestion are the best ways to treat it.

                      Changing the following eating habits can help to get relief from indigestion. They are chewing with your mouth open,  talking while chewing and eating food too fast. Drink fluids after rather than during meals, and avoid late-night eating. Try to relax after meals. Avoid spicy foods, smoking, and alcoholic beverages. Sometimes aspirin can irritate the stomach lining. If this occurs, switch to acetaminophen. If indigestion is a functional or non ulcer condition, the physician may prescribe medications that affect stomach function.

Prevention:

The best way to treat indigestion is to prevent it by avoiding the foods and situations that seem to cause indigestion.

Eat small meals so the stomach does not have to work as hard or as long.

Eat slowly.

Avoid foods that contain high amounts of acids, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.

Caffeine causes the stomach to produce more acid, so reduce or avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine.

If stress is a trigger for indigestion, reevaluating lifestyle may help to reduce stress.

Smokers should consider quitting smoking, or at least not smoking right before eating, as smoking can irritate the stomach lining.

Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments because they tend to compress the stomach, which can cause its contents to enter the esophagus.

Do not exercise with a full stomach. Rather, exercise before a meal or at least one hour after eating a meal.

Do not lie down right after eating.

Wait at least 3 hours after the last meal of the day before going to bed.

Sleep with the head elevated (at least six inches) above your feet and use pillows to prop yourself up. This will allow digestive juices to flow into the intestines rather than to the esophagus.

The patient should not stay awake late at night and should be free from mental stress, anxiety, fear and grief.

Do not eat while moving or traveling in a car, watching television or reading.

Do not eat fast food or food that has been cooked in a microwave oven. Eating should not be too fast or too slow and the food should be properly chewed.

Sleeping during the day, especially after lunch is not recommended, as it produces indigestion.

Home remedies:

              Taking fruits, fruit juices and boiled vegetables for one week is also a beneficial way of fasting.

Lemon juice mixed in warm water taken three times a day improves digestion.

Chewing a small piece of fresh ginger with salt, five to ten minutes before meals, stimulates digestion.

Take equal amounts of ginger powder, black pepper, dried mint leaves, asafetida (hing), anise seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, fennel and common salt. Grind together to make a fine powder. Dosage: Take about 1 teaspoon of this powder with water, twice a day after meals.

Drinking buttermilk after a meal improves digestion. Roasted cumin seeds and a little salt in the buttermilk enhance its effectiveness.

Drinking water gives immediate relief to symptoms like wind, distended stomach and acidity.

Eat half a teaspoon of aniseed to improve digestion.

A teaspoon of ginger juice mixed in a quarter cup of warm water can be taken two or three times a day. A teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt can also be added to make it more effective.

Mix equal parts of baking soda and water in a glass and drink it.

Have papaya fruit and get some relief.

Take a teaspoon of aj.wain with a little rock salt

A teaspoon of cinnamon water taken half an hour after meals relieves from indigestion.

Ground cardamom seed mixed with ginger, cloves and coriander is an effective treatment for indigestion.

Herbal Remedies:

Acigon is the best classical herbal combination for amlapitta-hyperacidity. It’s an everlasting solution for acid peptic disorders. It relieves gaseous distention and bilious symptoms.

Mulathi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is effective anti-ulcer herb, gives miraculous results in acid peptic disorders. It is very effective in treating pain due to stomach ulcers, as it soothes the irritation caused by acids.

Marich (Piper nigrum): Pepper has a stimulating effect on the digestive organs and produces an increased flow of saliva and gastric juices. It is an appetizer and a good home remedy for digestive disorders.

Sunthi (Zingiber officinale): Ginger has been used to aid digestion and treat stomach upset.

Pippali (Piper longum): Piper Longum helps to stimulate appetite and it dispels gas from the intestines.

Also visit http://www.herbsandcures.com

Introduction:
      Hysteria  refers to the neurotic disorders, characterized by a variety of somatic and mental symptoms resulting from dissociation, typically beginning during early childhood. People who are "hysterical" often lose self-control due to the overwhelming fear. Hysterical strength is human strength exhibited superior to expectations, commonly in a hysterical state. It can be seen when muscles violently contract when a person is electrocuted. Hysterical strength is also observed in people who have taken mind-altering substances. Hysteria is common in women than in men.

Symptoms:

          The main symptoms include inappropriate elation or sadness, crying without cause, almost conclusive laughter, deep sighing, cramps in the limbs, mild rumblings in the belly and sense of constriction in the throat.

          The symptoms of hysteria are of two degrees. In the first degree, the patient may feel heaviness in the limbs, more severe cramps, strong feeling of ascending abdominal constriction, continual sightings, difficulty in breathing, construction in the chest, palpitations, feeling of a foreign body lodged in the throat, swelling of the neck and of the jugular veins, suffocation, headache, clenched teeth, generalized and voluntary tensing of muscles of locomotion. The patient remains conscious during paroxysms. The convulsions are usually milder and occur more often during the bending and extending of limbs.

              In the second degree, additional symptoms, besides the preceding ones, are noticeable and these may include wild and painful cries, incomplete loss of consciousness, enormously swollen neck, violent and tumultuous heart-beats, involuntary locomotors muscle contraction, frightening generalized convulsions, violent movement and frequent spitting. Sometimes the patient jumps about on his / her bed and at other times adopt almost tetanic postures. The attack may last several hours.

Histrionic Personality Disorder:

                                              The essential feature of the histrionic personality disorder is a pervasive and excessive pattern of emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious. Females with HPD over identify with others they project their own unrealistic, fantasied intentions onto people with whom they are involved. They are emotionally shallow and have difficulty understanding others or themselves in any depth.

                                              Males with HPD usually present with identity diffusion, disturbed relationships, and lack of impulse control. They have antisocial tendencies and are and of sensor motor symptoms have been considered to be specific to and characteristic of hysterical neurosis.

Causes:

                        The cause of this disorder is unknown, but childhood events and genetics may both be involved. It occurs more frequently in women than in men, although some feel it is simply more often diagnosed in women because attention-seeking and sexual forwardness is less socially acceptable for women. The main causes for hysteria include psychological disorders, physical disorders, brain disorders, dementia, and brain tumor.                                                           

                      Weakness and paralysis of muscular groups are common spasms and abnormal movements, less frequent. The motor disturbances are usually accompanied by altered sensibility, especially those involving touch, pain, temperature, and position sense. Especially characteristic are the "glove and stocking" distribution of the motor and sensory disturbances when these affect the limbs in some cases, special senses and functions may be affected, such as in hysterical blindness, deafness, and aphonia both visual and auditory hallucinations may occur.

Diagnosis:

The person's appearance, behavior, and history, and a psychological evaluation are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. There is no test to confirm this diagnosis. Medication does little to affect this personality disorder, but may be helpful with symptoms such as depression. Psychotherapy may also be of benefit.

Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines histrionic personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1.        is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention

2.        interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior

3.        displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions

4.        consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self

5.        has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail

6.        shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion

7.        is suggestible, i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances

8.        considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.

Treatment: