The clinical condition is sometimes referred to as hypersexuality, sexual dependency, sexual compulsivity or erotomania.

Causes:

Although no known cause of compulsive sexual behavior exists, evidence suggests that brain abnormalities resulting from diseases like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and dementia boost the compulsive sexual behavior in a woman.

Similarly, an alteration in the composition of the brain chemicals namely serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine or sex hormones like androgens also evoke an un-called sexual behavior.

Symptoms:

Indulging in too much sex is the classic symptom of nymphomania. Other symptoms include trouble bonding up emotionally in sexual relationships, taking onto commercial sexually explicit phone and internet services, excessive viewing of pornographic materials, engaging in excessive masturbation, promiscuous sexual activity, engaging in masochistic or sadistic sex and exhibitionism (exposing in public).

Treatment:

Fear, shame and embarrassment often hold back nymphomaniacs from seeking professional help. Psychotherapy, medications and enrolling in self-help groups are three complementary treatments that effectively ease out compulsive and obsessive traits.

Causes:

The exact cause of melanoma is unknown. But events like prolonged sun exposure, excessive use of tanning lamps and sunbeds are known to increase the risk of developing skin cancers, including melanoma.

Symptoms:

Malignant melanomas can surface anywhere on the body, with lower legs in women and backs in men being the most afflicted areas.

Change in the size or appearance of an existing mole or the development of a new mole are referred to as the early signs of melanoma.

While normal moles have a uniform color and a distinct border, a malignant melanoma is characterized by irregular borders with a mixture of colors. It can be oval or round in shape and about 6 millimeters in diameter.

The American Academy of Dermatology has issued a A-B-C-D-E guide that aids in better self-screening:

A for asymmetrical shape – A mole, when divided into two halves, its two sides don’t look the same.

B for border – Moles with blurry, irregular, notched or scalloped borders are to watched out for.

C for changes in color – A mole that changes its color often. Color variations include darkening, spread of color, loss of color, appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray.

D for diameter – A mole with a diameter larger than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) can be cancerous.

E for evolving – A mole that evolve with time. Changes include growing in size, changing color or shape, causing itchiness or starting to bleed.

Prevention:

Some basic precautions observed on a daily basis can greatly help in preventing melanoma. Avoid sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, as the sun rays are strongest during this period. Always wear a sunscreen, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Protective clothing like, full sleeves shirt, trousers and a hat is an ideal dress when going out.

Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons and go in regular dermatological screening to pick up early spots of melanoma.

Treatment:

Early-stage melanomas can be removed surgically through a simple excision, but treating melanomas that have spread beyond the skin may be tricky and often futile. Available treatments include surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy (a biological cure that boosts the body’s immune system to help fight cancer).

Causes:

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. A highly contagious viral disease, the mumps virus infects the non-infected person immediately upon his coming in contact with the respiratory secretions and tainted saliva of the infected person.

Symptoms:

Fever, headache, body aches, tiredness and anorexia (loss of appetite) are observed as the prodromal (non-specific early-on) symptoms of mumps. The most classical symptom – parotid inflammation (swelling under the ears on one or both sides) usually surfaces about two to three weeks after exposure to the virus.

The patients usually experience pain on chewing or swallowing, as the salivary glands on one or both sides of the face are swollen.

In cases of severe infections, patients suffer from sore face and ears. Males already through puberty can experience orchitis (painful inflammation of the testicle).

Prevention:

Immunization is the most effective measure against mumps. The Mumps vaccine may be administered separately or as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccination. MMR immunization, the vaccination most commonly opted, is a two shot program; first at 12 to 15 months of age followed by the second at 4 to 6 years of age.

Treatment:

Time and rest are the best treatments for those who are not immunized and happen to pick up the infection. Analgesics and Antipyretics help ease pain and fever associated with the infection. But avoid aspirin as it is associated with an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Warm salt water gargles, eating soft foods and taking in extra fluids also potent home remedies that help in relieving symptoms.

As the mumps virus remains highly infective from around 6 days before the onset of symptoms until about 9 days after, complete incubation helps cut down on transmission rates significantly.

The disorder often becoming apparent in young adulthood, lasts a lifetime. An estimated 1 in 2000 Americans, mostly men, suffer from the deeply disabling disorder.

Causes:

The root cause of narcolepsy is still not known. However, it is believed that genetics play a crucial role in its onset. Moreover, traumatic brain injuries, exposure to toxins, infections, dietary factors, stress, hormonal changes (during puberty, pregnancy or menopause) are some other factors contributing to the development of the disease.

Symptoms:

Narcolepsy is typically characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness. The ‘sleepiness’ may often be accompanied by sudden episodes of muscle weakness (cataplexy), causing a strong reaction to emotions like anger, surprise or amusement.

Narcoleptics may also experience hallucinations, false or distorted sensory experiences that appear to be real, sleep paralysis (temporary inability to move or speak at the onset or finishing of the narcoleptic episode.

Treatment:

There’s no cure for narcolepsy. However, certain medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms. Counseling, medication, and behavioral changes are the key areas of focus.

Counseling:

Proper guidance into the disorder aids in better management. Professional counseling helps tackle depression, reclusion and emotions associated to narcolepsy.

Medication:

Drug therapy treats excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy, the most disabling symptoms of the narcolepsy. Stimulants, antidepressants and sodium oxybate are the most commonly prescribed classes of drugs.

Behavioral changes:

Certain self-help tips like assigning time for naps, adhering sleep schedule, avoiding nicotine, caffeine and alcohol and taking to a regular exercise pattern may improve alertness and help control the effects of a narcoleptic episode. Also breaking bigger tasks into small jobs helps.

What is going on in the body?

Paronychia may be caused by repeated injury that creates swelling. It may also be caused by an infection with bacteria or yeast organisms. Swelling lifts the wall of skin underlying the nail and makes the area more prone to future infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of the infection?

Paronychia may cause swelling, tenderness, and redness of the area around the nail. Nails may be discolored and may grow abnormally. Pus may leak from the cuticles, which are the thin layers of skin that cover the edges of a nail.

What are the causes and risks of the infection?

Following are some common causes of paronychia: · repeated injury of the cuticle skin, such as in vigorous manicures · repetitive soaking of hands in water at work or at home · excessive hand washing, especially when the hands are not dried properly

Paronychia is more common in a person who is prone to bacterial and yeast infections, such as an individual who has diabetes. Repeated bouts of paronychia are common.

What can be done to prevent the infection?

Paronychia can be minimized by avoiding prolonged soaking in water and by drying the hands well after hand washing. Manicures should be gentle, to avoid trauma to the cuticles.

How is the infection diagnosed?

Paronychia can be diagnosed from the appearance of the nail and its surrounding skin. Sometimes a culture is done to identify the organism causing the infection. For a culture, a sample of the pus is collected and sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.

What are the long-term effects of the infection?

Paronychia can cause permanent nail damage. If paronychia is not treated effectively, the tissue and bone of the finger can become infected.

What are the risks to others?

The organisms that cause paronychia are not usually passed to other people. However, the use of manicure tools that have not been sterilized can transmit the infection.

What are the treatments for the infection?

Antifungal and corticosteroid creams can be applied directly to the infected area. Antifungal and antibiotic medications taken in pill form may be needed to treat some infections.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Antifungal or antibiotic medications may cause headaches, stomach upset, or allergic reactions.

What happens after treatment for the infection?

Paronychia should clear up completely with appropriate treatment but may recur periodically.

How is the infection monitored?

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.