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Q I just can't believe what my sister told me she heard. She said there condition that causes women to have one orgasm after another without being sexually stimulated. What in the world is going on here? Is this really true, or is someone just playing around with her?

A It is true. Your sister is apparently referring to a rare disorder that doctors call Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome (PSAS), a puzzling, life-altering condition that has nothing to do with sexual desire.

Doctors describe it as feelings of spontaneous, intense and persistent genital arousal, with or without orgasm. Sufferers, some of whom experience as many as 200 orgasms a day, say PSAS is debilitating and humiliating because the continuous state of arousal is more like a curse than a blessing. It disrupts some victims' lives to the point of not being able to function normally.

To make things worse, doctors say there is no cure, and they are having difficulty determining a cause. Researchers have focused on everything from hormonal and neurological contributors to excessive blood flow or congestion in the genitals. So far, counseling and the application of a local anaesthetic have shown some promise..

Q I'm a 51-year-old Black man who tries to do the right thing to take care of my health. But I'm not crazy about the idea of getting a colonoscopy. I don't like the thought of how it's performed. What can you tell me about the "virtual colonoscopy," and how effective is it?

A Some researchers say "virtual colonoscopies," which are noninvasive, are just as effective as regular colonoscopies. When a colonoscopies performed, a doctor inserts a lighted, flexible tube (with a camera attached) into the rectum and moves it through the colon to check for precancerous polyps. If the growths are found, the doctor can remove them immediately. That can't be done with the virtual version. In that method, a CT scanner takes x-rays of the colon and are converted into two- and three-dimensional images. The virtual procedure is quicker and eliminates the possibility of a perforated colon. Two important points: Medicare and insurance comanies don't pay for virtual colonoscopies, and the procedure is not yet recommended by the American Cancer society and some other medical experts.

Q I am a 35-year-old woman who has a 7-year-old son who is very active and has a big appetite. But I just found out that he is allergic to peanuts. I've never heard of this problem in kids. How serious is it, and what can I do to help him?

A.T., New Orleans

A The number of children with peanut and other allergies may be much larger than you think. And, doctors say, peanut allergies can be fatal.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans are allergic to peanuts and about 100 persons die annually after ingesting them. For some people, all it takes is a tiny portion of a peanut to trigger a deadly reaction.

The peanut allergy in children, considered to be one of the most severe food reactions, presents a significant problem because so many children are attracted to peanuts and peanut butter, which has become one of the most common food items in a child's diet

The good news is that studies have shown that children with mild peanut allergies are likely to outgrow the condition. Until recently, medical experts thought peanut allergies were evident for a lifetime, but studies indicate that as many as 20 percent of small children who are allergic to peanuts become tolerant to peanuts by the time they enter school.

After ingestion of peanuts and peanut products, doctors say serious allergic reactions can be avoided if the person receives a prompt shot of epinephrine. But prevention is the primary focus of researchers, who are working to create a peanut allergy vaccine.