Light waves are a particular part of the electromagnetic family that radiates. In medicine, light waves also can be used astreatment for conditions certain.
Light waves are divided into various types, including radio and micro waves, visible light, infrared, x-rays, gamma rays and ultraviolet light. However, the most common use of light waves in medical medicine is lasers, which have a special role to cut, burn, or destroy tissue.
The Use of Light in the Medical World
Light therapy is generally reserved for people with seasonal depression or what we know as SAD (SAD).seasonal affective disorder). This type of depression is a condition when a person experiences depression during certain seasons, especially during winter.
To overcome this depression, treatment is used using artificial light sources. This therapy is done to replace a person's lack of sun exposure, considering that SAD syndrome is thought to be associated with a lack of sun exposure.
In addition, light waves are also used to treat various other medical conditions, including:
- Increase metabolismA study shows that when exposed to light, the body will experience an increase in a series of hormones called glucocorticoids. These hormones are responsible for a variety of processes in the body, including metabolism, the response to stress, inflammation, and the immune system. Light therapy can help increase the body's metabolism, although more research is needed.
- Overcoming skin diseasesLight therapy is often used to improve certain skin conditions. For this purpose, ultraviolet light will be exposed on the irritated skin area or on the entire skin surface. Some skin conditions that light therapy can help with include psoriasis, vitiligo, acne vulgaris, skin cancer, dermatitis, and mycoses.
- Overcoming jaundiceLight therapy is also often used to treat jaundice in newborns. Phototherapy is needed to break down bilirubin into compounds that can be excreted through urine and feces. Phototherapy for jaundice uses radiation in the blue-green spectrum.
For those of you who are going to do light therapy, it is advisable to find out first what effects may appear after treatment. Some of the complaints that can be experienced after light therapy are light headaches, insomnia, aches, dry eyes and nose, and a sunburned sensation.
If you have sensitive skin, have impaired vision, eye disease, or have a history of cancer, it is advisable to consult a doctor before undergoing this therapy.
The Use of Laser Light in the Medical World
Laser is an abbreviation of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The use of laser light for medical treatment has almost the same risks as conventional surgery, such as bleeding, pain, and scarring. However, recovery time from laser surgery is usually faster than open surgery.
Some medical conditions that can be treated with laser light are varicose veins, prostate disease, kidney stones, and a number of tumors. In addition, laser light therapy can also be used to improve vision during corneal surgery and repair a detached retina in the eye (retinal detachment). In skin beauty care, laser light is also often used.
Although it has a positive function on the health of the body, light waves which are part of this electromagnetic wave also have a negative effect. One of the most common negative effects is radiation. Therefore, excessive exposure to light, including sunlight, should be avoided.
Light waves can be used to treat various health problems. However, you should first consult with your doctor before using light waves to treat the condition you are experiencing.
