Treatment of disease by exposure to light.
A treatment for jaundice and vitamin D deficiency, which involves exposing the person to ultraviolet rays.
The medical treatment of diseases with light, in any of a variety of forms, including sunlight, ultraviolet light, visible blue light (as in fluorescent bulbs), and lasers. Newborns who are affected with jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia are often exposed nude to fluorescent lights, the blue range of which speeds decomposition of the bilirubin that gives a yellowish cast to the skin. Some skin disorders, such as vitiligo and severe forms of psoriasis, may be treated with light plus drugs, a type of phototherapy called PUVA (for the drug psoralen plus ultraviolet A).
Use of strong light to treat disorders such as acne and hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn.
The treatment of disorders with the use of light, primarily ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Phototherapy is used to treat skin problems such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo, and to treat jaundice in newborns. Although phototherapy is often effective, long-term treatment is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging.
This is the use of light to induce a chemical reaction which reduces the level of the pigment bilirubin in the blood of newborn babies. A raised bilirubin causes the individual’s skin to have a yellowish tinge jaundice. While in children or adults this would be a sign of possible liver disease, it is a normal event in many newborn babies whose immature livers cannot handle the rapid breakdown of red blood cells after delivery (the source of the pigment). In general this is harmless. However, very high levels of jaundice may occur in very premature babies and those with haemolytic disease of the newborn, due to incompatibility between maternal and fetal blood groups. Such babies are at risk of brain damage from kernicterus, staining of the basal ganglia of the brain with bile pigments and/or of a degree of deafness and/or some degree of learning disability.
Exposure to sunlight or to ultraviolet (UV) light for therapeutic purposes. One example of phototherapy is the treatment of neonatal jaundice, in which the jaundiced infant is exposed to UV light to decrease bilirubin levels in the bloodstream, thereby reducing the risk of bilirubin deposition in the brain. Phototherapy also is used to treat some skin diseases, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and psoriasis, and to relieve the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
Commonly referred to as light therapy, this therapeutic approach involves subjecting the patient to an intensified luminosity, serving as a compensatory measure for diminished exposure to natural sunlight. By immersing individuals in the radiance of a bright light source, this treatment method aims to restore the equilibrium disrupted by limited daylight exposure. The strategic utilization of intense light offers a glimmer of hope in mitigating the adverse effects associated with reduced sunlight intake, fostering a rejuvenating experience that harmonizes the body’s natural circadian rhythms and promotes overall well-being.
Phototherapy, a treatment method involving light, encompasses sunlight, ultraviolet light, and blue light. Controlled exposure to sunlight, which constitutes the fundamental approach, is frequently beneficial for managing the skin condition psoriasis. An alternative form of phototherapy is PUVA. Additionally, phototherapy can be employed for addressing seasonal affective disorder.
This treatment involves the combination of extended wavelength ultraviolet light with a psoralen drug, which enhances the skin’s sensitivity to light. This method is applied for addressing conditions like psoriasis and specific other skin ailments including vitiligo. Psoriasis can also be managed using brief wavelength ultraviolet light, occasionally in conjunction with the application of coal tar.
Visible blue light is employed in the treatment of neonatal jaundice, a condition arising from elevated levels of bilirubin pigment in the bloodstream. The purpose of the light is to facilitate the conversion of bilirubin into a benign substance that can be safely expelled from the body. To ensure optimal exposure, the infant is undressed and positioned beneath the lights within an incubator, with their eyes protected.
Using light rays, like sun rays, to treat diseases.