Xenophobia - Fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers

Fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers is termed as Xenophobia. Those with Xenophobia finds it difficult to go for shopping, to office or even to travel in a public transport service. Though Adults with this phobia understands that the fear is irrational, even thinking about such a situation makes them panic.

Symptoms
Dry mouth
Clammy hands
Sadness
Fear
Anger
Anxiety
Guilt, Hurt
Nausea
Increased rate of breathing and heart beat
Sweating
Some may even avoid social gatherings

causes
Negative experiences in the past is considered as the most common cause of Xenophobia. Thos ewith a tendency to fear and anxiety, those who are high strung, oe with adrenal insufficiency is likely to be Xenophobic. An embarassing moment in the past or certain characteristics like abnormal shyness, self esteem, ignorence, prejudice, lack of self confidence are all reasons to cause anxiety and there by trigger phobia.

Treatment
Most important of all treatments is behaviour therapy. This helps to gain confidence, make your mind calm and to regain happiness. It also helps to overcome fear, sadness, guilt, anger etc. By this negative sources causing fear is identified and replaced by positive thoughts. Counselling, talk therapy areall very effective in treating Xenophobia. Anti anxiety medications can help to reduce anxiety associated with this phobia. Hypnotherapy helps to change your mindset which cause panic on facing a situation where foreigners are involved. But some are not at ease with hypnotherapy even though it is safe and fast. Neuro Linguistic Programming is another method by which the reason of phobia is re constructed and thus eliminated or minimized. Energy psychology is the most effective method which is rapid, safe, cost effective and long lasting. It can be called emotional acupuncture as treatment is done with out needle. In this method pressure is applied on our energy points. This method changes behaviour and thought patterns quickly and develops skills useful in all situations.

Links
http://www.ofear.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=4473
http://www.ehow.com/how_2060112_cope-xenophobia.html
http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/xenophobia-treatment.html
http://business.iafrica.com/news/221710.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/x/xenophobia/intro.htm
http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/problem_detail.asp?SDID=726:1926
www.tac.org.za/community/xenophobia

Claustrophobia - Fear of enclosed places

Claustrophobia is the fear of enclosed places. This anxiety may be due to any other general phobias or because the person is claustrophobic. In a Claustrophobic anxiety is developed under certain situations and hence it is a situational phobia. A person with this phobia might find it difficult to be in a car, elevator or in a closed room. In some cases even seeing a closed door can cause panic and anxiety. Person will be isolated from society and this can cause depression.

Symptoms

Those suffering with Claustrophobia might experience nausea, lightheadedness, hyperventilation, fainting, increased heart beat, sweating, fainting, shaking, fear of physical harm etc. while enclosed in a room or even in an elevator.

Causes

For persons with bitter childhood experience this phobia may occur. Those who were stuck in an enclosed place and had some unpleasent experience may get affected by this phobia. such experiences can even cause panic attack. Those with general tendency towards anxiety and fear, those having high strung character and those suferring from adrenal insufficiency and likely to be affected by this phobia.

Treatment

Though there is no specific treatment for this phobia symptoms can be cured and thus brought under control. Psychiatrists will be of great help in this. Behaviour therapy, exposure therapy etc. are found helpful. In behaviour therapy the particular reason for anxiety is detected and by way of positive thinking and visualization feeling of danger with particular situation. Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a more effective therapy in which patients preconceived view of danger is destroyed. Flooding and Counter-conditioning are exposure therapies and in Counter-conditioning behaviour therapy and relaxation techniques are used. Psychoeducation, Virtual reality exposure, Breathing exercises, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Relapse prevention, Modelling etc are als ofound effective in treating Claustrophobia. MR Imagining is another method in which midazolam spray is administered intranasal. Among medicines Anti depressents and beta blockers are used to prevent panic attacks. Tranquillisers, anti depressants and beta blockers, benzodiazepines,xanax, Valium are also given to patients. But all these medicines are likely to cause side effects. Above all support from relatives and friends is very necessary for those with phobias.

Alternative Medicines

Hypnotherapy, Homeopathy and Natural herbal medicines are also useful to treat phobias. In Hypnotherapy your subconcious programmes that causes fear is minimized and this helps to bring anxiety under control. Natural herbs like Passiflora incarnata, Scutellaria laterifolia (Scullcap) and Valerian helps tp release from fear while Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) balances the serotonin level and reduces the anxiety. Natural herbs usually promote sense of well being and soothes uneasy nerves. Most attractive part is that these medicines does not have any side effects. Meditation, Yoga, breathing techniques, muscle relaxation etc are also very effective. Energy psychology is yet another emerging method which is fast, effective, safe and long lasting. It can be called as emotional acupuncture as it concentrates on relaxing pressure points.

Links

http://www.disease-condition.com/symptom-treatment/claustrophobia.htm

http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/dealing-with-claustrophobia-info.html

http://www.phobia-fear-release.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-claustrophobia.html

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/claustrophobia/treatments.htm#latest

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Claustrophobia?OpenDocument

Fear of Heights - Acrophobia

One of the most common phobias, Acrophobia or Allodoxaphobia is the extreme fear of heights which effects the quality of life.It is considered as a hyper reaction to normal response to fear. A person with this disease gets panic when they reach heights. when it gets severe the person might restrain from climbing to heights or even going to a flat which is on top level. An Acrophobic might experience dizziness or feel like spinning when he reach height and might get confused witht he disease `vertigo'.
Symptoms of Acrophobia
A person with Acrophobia on reaching heights will experience
Severe anxiety
Losing sense of balance trying to cling to some thing, descending at the spot, crawling, kneeling etc.
Breathlessness
Heart palpitations or anxiety attack
Dizziness
fear of dying
Excessive sweating
Shaking
Nausea
Dry mouth
Inability to speak or think clearly
Might cry or yell out
Causes
The phobia is caused by extreme fear of injury or death caused by a fall. At times a bitter childhood exerience may be the reason. Phobia is created by unconcious mind.
Treatment
Panicking caused at heights can cause extreme danger and hence treatment is very necessary. CBT or Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common treatment. patients are taught to regain emotional control and to stop panic reaction under situations. Exposure Therapy ie. Exposing to heights is the most common solution.Virtual Reality Exposure in which patient is exposed to similar situation by way of computer generated three dimentional virtual image is another more effective methos as it is cost and time saving. In this method Therapist need not accompany patient to on location. In early stages tranquilizers or antidepressents or anti anxiety medications are useful. A drug used for treating Tuberculosis called D-cycloserine (DCS) is effective to treat Acrophobia as it affects amygdala region of brain that governs response to fear. Therapists helps to practice specific behavioural skills for boosting confidence or stress relief techniques or relaxation and thus to implement it in real life situations. Hypnotherapy is yet another method. A person who is phobic need to know more about the issue and try himself to get out of the situation.Medication, Positive thinking and gradual desensitisation also helps. Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Hypnotherapists, primary care physicians, Councelling centers, clinical social workers, etc can help to recover from phobias. Most important is that the details of the disease is to be conveyed to the therapist in all aspects and patient must have faith in therapist.
Alternative Medicine
Herbal and Homeopathic medicines are also seen effective in teating Acrophobia. Herbal medicines maintain the nerves in good condition and thus gives a positive outlook. Homeopathic medicines help to cure the symptoms ans there by reduce the risk of panic attack due to phobia. Verti-Free, PureCalm are homeopathic medicines that support inner ear balance.
Links
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14975783
http://www.naun.org/journals/mcs/mcs-61.pdf
http://www.vrphobia.com/heights.htm
http://www.allaboutskyscrapers.com/acrophobia.htm
http://www.remedies4.com/download/natural-help-for-acrophobia.pdf
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellpage/treatments-for-acrophobia
http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/acrophobia.asp?SDID=139:1339.
http://www.emotrics.com/people/milton/papers/compareworlds/
http://www.fitsea.com/healthy-informations/acrophobia-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/216/
http://www.simplephobiasguide.com/fear-of-heights-phobia.php
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/inst_reports2.cfm?article=4698
http://www.spwickstrom.com/acrophobia/
http://www.medhelp.org/tags/show/25051/Acrophobia?middle_panel=users
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellpage/symptoms-of-acrophobia
http://www.way2hope.org/Illnesses/acrophobia-fear-heights.htm
http://www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com/phobias_psychologist_and_psychologists/psychologist_acrophobia.htm
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9944
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-acrophobia.htm
http://phobias.about.com/od/introductiontophobias/a/acrophobiaprof.htm
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/natural-remedies-for-acrophobia-treatment.html

Meningitis - Alternative treatment

Meningitis is caused by infection to meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. Usually children between the age of 15 and 24 are affected by this disease. Viral, bacterial or fungal infection can also cause meningitis.

Symptoms

High fever, headache, vomiting or nausea along with headache, difficulty to maintain eye contact or to concentrate in some thing, sleepiness, stiff neck, rashes on skin, seizures, leg pain etc. Symptoms may last for two or three days. Newborns might not have these types of symptoms but will cry continuously or eat poorly. Some times there might be a soft spot on head that may bulge.

Causes

Meningitis is usually caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Bacterial infection is more dangerous. Bacterial infection occurs when bacteria enter blood stream and reach brain or spinal cord. Ear or sinus infection can also lead to meningitis as the bacteria will enter meninges directly. This may happen in case of skull fracture also.

Types of meningitis caused by bacteria are Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), that may cause pneumonia, ear or sinus infection, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Haemophilus influenzae (haemophilus), Listeria monocytogenes (listeria). Viral meningitis lasts for about 10 days or less only. Chronic meningitis is caused by invading of slow growing organisms. Drug infection, inflammatory diseases and some type of cancer can cause meningitis.

Treatment

Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics. Treatment might be for convulsions, brain swelling, dehydration or shock. If there is infected sinus or mastoid it will have to be drained. In case of viral meningitis bed rest along with plenty of fluids and pain medications. Anti viral medication will also be given if the virus is herpes.

Bacteria and virus usually spreads through coughing, sneezing, kissing etc. Sharing tooth brush, eating utensils or cigarette can also spread bacteria’s or viruses. Cleaning the hands are also helpful to prevent spreading of disease. Taking exercise, enough ret and a healthy diet is also important. Medications might be for increasing blood pressure. Mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen might also be given. Bacterial meningitis might cause learning or hearing disabilities, visual problem, seizures etc. It might affect kidney’s, liver, heart etc or might lead to neurological problems.

Vaccines like Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV), Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) are given to those infected by bacteria. Viral meningitis is treated with acyclovir (Zovirax®) or ribavirin (Virazole®). These might cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headache. In case of bacterial meningitis patients are treated with a cocktile medicines like combination of Penicillin and cephalosporin (e.g., ceftriaxone [Rocephin®], cefotaxime [Claforan®]). If virus is caused by fungi Amphotericin B and fluconazole (Diflucan®) are effective. Parasitic meningitis patients are given benzimidazole derivative or other antihelminthic agent. Along with antibiotics cortico steroids, diazepam, rifampin, etc are given according to situation. Surgery is to be done if there are openings causing leak of cerebrospinal fluid.


Prevention

Routine immunization and vaccines for measles, mumps, poliomeningococcus, pneumococcus etc can prevent attack of meningitis. Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) vaccine given to children at the age of two, four and six can also prevent meningitis.Hib vaccination is also helpful. Preventive medicines like rifampin (Rifadin®), ceftriaxone (Duricef®), and ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) can be given to prevent bacterial meningitis.


Alternative therapy

Nutritional and herbal therapy is found effective in some cases. Homeopathy is also said to be effective for meningitis. Nutritional treatment involves supplementing Vitamin A and Vitamin B12. herbs like garlic is also found effective

Warm water and the prevention of heart attacks

This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive. A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save a life. So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.