Light therapy

Light therapy or phototherapy is a type of treatment that involves exposure to daylight or to specific wavelengths of light using polychromatic polarised light, lasers, light-emitting diodes, fluorescent lamps, dichroic lamps or very bright, full-spectrum light. The light is administered for a prescribed amount of time and, in some cases, at a specific time of day.

History

The use of light therapy dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, who worshipped the sun god Ra. They believed that exposure to sunlight could cure a variety of physical and mental ailments. In the modern era, light therapy was first used in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the 1980s.

Types of Light Therapy

There are several types of light therapy, including:

• Bright light therapy: This is the most common type of light therapy used to treat SAD, certain other types of depression, and circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
• Blue light therapy: This type of therapy is often used to treat acne and pre-cancerous skin growths.
• Red light therapy: This therapy is used to treat skin issues, such as wrinkles and scars, and other health issues.
• Green light therapy: This is a newer type of light therapy that is being studied for its potential to relieve pain.

Uses

Light therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Non-seasonal depression
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
• Jet Lag
• Dementia
• Skin Disorders

Risks and Side Effects

While light therapy is generally safe, it can have side effects, including:

• Eyestrain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Irritability or agitation
• Mania, in people with bipolar disorder

See Also

• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
• Phototherapy (skin treatment)

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