Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors, are a type of parasomnia characterized by extreme fear, panic, and intense feelings of dread during sleep. They are different from nightmares, which occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep and can be remembered upon waking. In contrast, night terrors typically happen during deep non-REM sleep (stage 3 or 4) and individuals usually have no recollection of the event upon waking.

During a night terror episode, a person may sit up in bed, scream, thrash around, and exhibit signs of intense fear. Their heart rate and breathing may increase dramatically, and they might be difficult to awaken or console. Episodes can last from several minutes to half an hour, after which the individual typically returns to sleep without fully waking up.

Night terrors are more common in children than adults, with about 1-6% of children experiencing them at some point. While they can be distressing for both the person experiencing them and their loved ones, night terrors are generally not harmful and do not typically indicate underlying psychological or medical issues. However, if night terrors occur frequently, interfere with sleep quality, or cause significant distress, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance on potential treatment options.

Somnambulism is defined as a parasomnia, which is a type of sleep disorder, that involves walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep. It's more commonly known as sleepwalking. During a sleepwalking episode, a person will have their eyes open and may appear to be awake and aware of their surroundings, but they are actually in a state of low consciousness.

Sleepwalking can range from simply sitting up in bed and looking around, to walking around the house, dressing or undressing, or even leaving the house. Episodes usually occur during deep non-REM sleep early in the night and can last from several minutes to an hour.

Although it is more common in children, especially those between the ages of 3 and 7, somnambulism can also affect adults. Factors that may contribute to sleepwalking include stress, fatigue, fever, certain medications, alcohol consumption, and underlying medical or psychiatric conditions such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or dissociative states.

Most of the time, somnambulism is not a cause for concern and does not require treatment. However, if sleepwalking leads to potential harm or injury, or if it frequently disrupts sleep, medical advice should be sought to address any underlying conditions and ensure safety measures are in place during sleep.

Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is currently referred to as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It's a complex dissociative disorder involving the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states that recurrently take control of an individual's behavior.

In DID, each identity, or 'alter', may have its own unique name, personal history, characteristics, and mannerisms. The switching between these identities is often triggered by stressful situations or traumatic memories.

This disorder typically develops as a coping mechanism in response to severe, prolonged trauma during early childhood, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. It's important to note that this condition should be diagnosed and managed by mental health professionals with expertise in dissociative disorders.

Dreams are a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep. They can be vivid or vague, positive or negative, and may involve memories, emotions, and fears. The scientific study of dreams is called oneirology. While the exact purpose and function of dreams remain a topic of debate among researchers, some theories suggest that dreaming may help with memory consolidation, problem-solving, emotional processing, and learning.

Dreams usually occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, although they can also happen in non-REM stages. They are typically associated with complex brain activities, involving areas such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and the neocortex. The content of dreams can be influenced by various factors, including a person's thoughts, experiences, emotions, physical state, and environmental conditions.

It is important to note that dreaming is a natural and universal human experience, and understanding dreams can provide insights into our cognitive processes, emotional well-being, and mental health.

Dissociative disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by disruptions or dysfunctions in memory, consciousness, identity, or perception. These disturbances can be sudden or ongoing and can interfere significantly with a person's ability to function in daily life. The main types of dissociative disorders include:

1. Dissociative Amnesia: This disorder is characterized by an inability to recall important personal information, usually due to trauma or stress.
2. Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder): In this disorder, a person exhibits two or more distinct identities or personalities that recurrently take control of their behavior.
3. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: This disorder involves persistent or recurring feelings of detachment from one's self (depersonalization) or the environment (derealization).
4. Other Specified Dissociative Disorder and Unspecified Dissociative Disorder: These categories are used for disorders that do not meet the criteria for any of the specific dissociative disorders but still cause significant distress or impairment.

Dissociative disorders often develop as a way to cope with trauma, stress, or other overwhelming life experiences. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), as well as medication for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression.

I'm sorry for any confusion, but "terrorism" is not a term that has a specific medical definition. It is a concept that is typically defined within the contexts of criminal law, international relations, and political science. Generally, terrorism refers to the use of violence or threat of violence, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political, religious, or ideological objectives. If you have any questions related to medicine or health, I'd be happy to try to help answer those for you!

Parasomnias are a category of sleep disorders that involve unwanted physical events or experiences that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up. These behaviors can include abnormal movements, talk, emotions, perceptions, or dreams. Parasomnias can be caused by various factors such as stress, alcohol, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions. Some examples of parasomnias are sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep talking, and REM sleep behavior disorder. These disorders can disrupt sleep and cause distress to the individual and their bed partner.

I'm sorry for any confusion, but "riots" are not a medical term. Riots refer to violent disturbances in which a group of people behave in a destructive and disorderly way, typically as a form of protest. The term is more commonly used in the context of law enforcement, criminal justice, and social sciences. If you have any questions related to medical terminology or health-related topics, I'd be happy to help!

Sleep arousal disorders are a category of sleep disorders that involve the partial or complete awakening from sleep, often accompanied by confusion and disorientation. These disorders are characterized by an abnormal arousal process during sleep, which can result in brief periods of wakefulness or full awakenings. The most common types of sleep arousal disorders include sleepwalking (somnambulism), sleep talking (somniloquy), and night terrors (pavor nocturnus).

In sleepwalking, the individual may get out of bed and walk around while still asleep, often with a blank stare and without any memory of the event. Sleep talking can occur in various levels of sleep and may range from simple sounds to complex conversations. Night terrors are episodes of intense fear and agitation during sleep, often accompanied by screams or cries for help, rapid heart rate, and sweating.

These disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, fever, certain medications, alcohol consumption, and underlying medical conditions such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. They can also occur as a result of genetic predisposition. Sleep arousal disorders can have significant impacts on an individual's quality of life, leading to fatigue, daytime sleepiness, impaired cognitive function, and decreased overall well-being. Treatment options may include behavioral therapy, medication, or addressing any underlying medical conditions.

Torture is not typically defined in medical terms, but it is recognized as a severe violation of human rights by the World Medical Association (WMA), the United Nations (UN), and other international bodies. The UN defines torture as:

"any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions."

The WMA's Declaration of Tokyo states that "physicians shall not countenance, condone or participate in the practice of torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" and defines torture as "the deliberate, systematic or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons acting alone or on behalf of others."

Medical professionals play a critical role in identifying, documenting, and reporting torture, as well as providing care and support to survivors.

Blast injuries are traumas that result from the exposure to blast overpressure waves, typically generated by explosions. These injuries can be categorized into primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary blast injuries.

1. Primary Blast Injuries: These occur due to the direct effect of the blast wave on the body, which can cause barotrauma to organs with air-filled spaces such as the lungs, middle ear, and gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to conditions like pulmonary contusion, traumatic rupture of the eardrums, or bowel perforation.

2. Secondary Blast Injuries: These result from flying debris or objects that become projectiles due to the blast, which can cause penetrating trauma or blunt force injuries.

3. Tertiary Blast Injuries: These occur when individuals are thrown by the blast wind against solid structures or the ground, resulting in blunt force trauma, fractures, and head injuries.

4. Quaternary Blast Injuries: This category includes all other injuries or illnesses that are not classified under primary, secondary, or tertiary blast injuries. These may include burns, crush injuries, inhalation of toxic fumes, or psychological trauma.

It is important to note that blast injuries can be complex and often involve a combination of these categories, requiring comprehensive medical evaluation and management.

Human rights abuses in a medical context can refer to violations of the right to health, which is a fundamental human right recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations. This includes:

* Denial of access to necessary healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services
* Discrimination in the provision of healthcare based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other status
* Use of torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in healthcare settings
* Experimentation on human subjects without their informed consent
* Violation of confidentiality and privacy in the provision of healthcare services
* Inhumane living conditions in places of detention, such as prisons and immigration detention centers, which can lead to negative health outcomes.

Additionally, Human rights abuses can also refer to violations of other human rights that have an impact on a person's health, such as:

* Violence against women, children, LGBTQ+ individuals, minorities and other marginalized groups
* Forced displacement and migration
* Denial of the right to education, food, water and sanitation
* Inhumane working conditions
* Torture and ill-treatment
* Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances
* Violations of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

These abuses can lead to physical and mental health problems, including chronic illnesses, disabilities, and psychological trauma. They can also exacerbate existing health conditions and make it more difficult for individuals to access necessary healthcare services.

Complicity, in a medical context, generally refers to the state of being involved or associated with someone else's wrongful actions or negligence, typically as an accessory or partner. This can include situations where a healthcare professional knows about and fails to report or take action to prevent harm caused by another person, or where they actively assist in the commission of unethical or illegal acts. Complicity can also refer to the act of providing assistance or encouragement to someone who is engaging in harmful behavior, such as a patient who is abusing drugs or alcohol. In all cases, complicity implies a level of responsibility and accountability for the negative outcomes that result from the actions of oneself or others.

Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies that individuals use to cope with stressful, threatening, or uncomfortable situations. These mechanisms help protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, or other negative emotions. They can also help individuals maintain a positive self-image and a sense of control in difficult circumstances.

There are many different types of defense mechanisms, including:

1. Repression: The unconscious forgetting or pushing aside of painful memories or thoughts.
2. Denial: Refusing to acknowledge the existence or reality of a threatening situation or feeling.
3. Projection: Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or emotions to someone else.
4. Displacement: Channeling unacceptable feelings toward a safer or less threatening target.
5. Rationalization: Creating logical explanations or excuses for unacceptable behavior or feelings.
6. Reaction formation: Converting unconscious impulses or desires into their opposite, conscious attitudes or behaviors.
7. Sublimation: Transforming unacceptable impulses or instincts into socially acceptable behaviors or activities.
8. Regression: Returning to an earlier stage of development in order to cope with stress or anxiety.
9. Suppression: Consciously pushing aside unwanted thoughts or feelings.
10. Identification: Adopting the characteristics, attitudes, or behaviors of another person as a way of coping with anxiety or fear.

Defense mechanisms can be adaptive or maladaptive, depending on the situation and how they are used. While they can help individuals cope with stress and maintain their emotional well-being in the short term, relying too heavily on defense mechanisms can lead to problems in relationships, work, and other areas of life. It is important for individuals to be aware of their defense mechanisms and work to develop healthier coping strategies over time.

Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, is a visual impairment characterized by the inability to see well in low light or darkness. It's not an eye condition itself but rather a symptom of various underlying eye disorders, most commonly vitamin A deficiency and retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa.

In a healthy eye, a molecule called rhodopsin is present in the rods (special light-sensitive cells in our eyes responsible for vision in low light conditions). This rhodopsin requires sufficient amounts of vitamin A to function properly. When there's a deficiency of vitamin A or damage to the rods, the ability to see in dim light gets affected, leading to night blindness.

People with night blindness often have difficulty adjusting to changes in light levels, such as when entering a dark room from bright sunlight. They may also experience trouble seeing stars at night, driving at dusk or dawn, and navigating in poorly lit areas. If you suspect night blindness, it's essential to consult an eye care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause.

'Night care' in a medical context typically refers to healthcare or support services provided to individuals during nighttime hours, usually between evening and early morning. This can include a range of services such as:

1. Monitoring vital signs and overall health status.
2. Administering medications.
3. Assisting with personal care needs like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom.
4. Providing safety supervision to prevent falls or other accidents.
5. Offering comfort and companionship.

These services can be provided in various settings including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes. They are often essential for individuals who require around-the-clock care but do not need hospital-level services during the night.