Light Therapy Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is the DEFINITION of LIGHT THERAPY?
- Use of light (electromagnetic wave) for therapy
- AKA Phototherapy
What are the WAVELENGTHS on the ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM?
- Infrared Light = 760 - 10,000 nm
- Visible Light = 380 - 760 nm
- UV Light = 180 - 380 nm
What are the Wavelengths of the DIFFERENT Ultraviolet Light (UV) and their functions?
- UVA = 315 - 380 nm - causes PIGMENTATION
- UVB = 280- 315 nm - causes ERYTHEMA
- UVC = 180 - 280nm- it is BACTERICIDAL
What do the EFFECTS of Light, depend on?
- Amount of Light Absorbed
- Intensity of Exposure
- Duration of Exposure
- Type of Radiation
What is INFRARED Light?
- Type of EXOGENOUS Heat
What are the PROPERTIES of IR?
- Wavelength = 760 - 10,000nm
- Penetration = 1 - 2cm
- NOT permeable thru WATER
What are the PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS of IR?
- THERMAL Effect = Exogenous Heat
- Trophic / Anti-inflammatory / Analgesic / MM Relaxation Effect = Hyperaemia / Peripheral Nerve Irritation
What are the THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS of IR?
- INCREASED Extensibility of CT = MM Relaxation
- Trophic Effect = Stimulates Metabolism
- Analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory
What are the CLINICAL APPLICATIONS for IR?
- TROPHIC Effect = Wound / Bell’s Palsy
- ANALGESIC Effect
- Musculoskeletal Disorders = Osteoarthritis
- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Effect = ENT Disorders
- INCREASED Extensibility of CT = MM Spasm / Joint Stiffness / Spasticity
What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS of IR?
- Thermal-Sensitivity Disorders
- Malignancies
- Acute Inflammation = As heat INCREASES Oedema
- Bleeding / Haematomas
- PURULENT Inflammation
What is VISIBLE Light?
- Type of EXOGENOUS Heat
What are the PROPERTIES of Visible Light?
- Wavelength = 380 - 760 nm
- Penetration = 1 - 2mm
- CAN PASS thru Water + Glass
- NOT Opaque Objects
What are the PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS of VISIBLE Light?
- CNS = Improves mood
- Endocrine System = The Hypothalamus + Pituitary Gland
- THERMAL Effect = Since it’s Exogenous
- BLUE Visible Light = Affects Bilirubin levels
What CLINICAL APPLICATION is Visible Light used for?
JAUNDICE of the new-born
What are the PROPERTIES of UV Light?
- Wavelength = 180 - 380 nm
- Penetration = 0.5mm
THRU QUARTZ / Glass / Clean air
** NOT ORDINARY** Glass
What are the CLINICAL APPLICATIONS of UV Light?
SUBERYTHEMAL Doses
- Locally = Rhinitis / Pharyngitis / Wounds
- Generally = DM / Obesity / Allergies / Rickets
ERYTHEMAL Doses = Neuritis / Neuropathy / Joint Inflammation / Rhinitis
SEGMENTARY / REFRACTORY Doses = Erythemal Collar
What are the PHYSIOLOGICAL Effects of UV Light?
- PHOTO-ELECTRIC Effect
- PHOTO-CHEMICAL Effect = Causing Protein Denaturation / DNA Destruction
What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS of UV Light?
- Area around eyes = WEAR GOGGLES
- Skin Tumours
- HIGH Skin Sensitivity Disorders = Lupus / Thyrotoxicosis
What are the TYPES of SKIN SENSITIVITIES to UV-B (Erythema)?
- SEASONAL = Sensitive in Winter
- REGIONAL = Diff Parts of Body such as - Abdomen / Lumbar / Chest / Back
- INDIVIDUAL = Depends on Age / Gender / Race
What is the DEFINITION of BIODOSE?
- It’s the MINIMAL TIME used for UV Light to cause SLIGHT ERYTHEMA with CLEAR MARGINS
- AFTER EXPOSURE from 50cm Distance
What is PUVA Therapyand it’s CLINICAL APPLICATION?
- Form of UV-A (Pigmentation) Therapy
- Used to treat PSORIASIS = Using a drug called, PSORALEN (oral)
What is the DEFINITION of LASER LIGHT?
- Light
- Amplification
by
- Stimulated
- Emission
of
- Radiation
What are the PROPERTIES of LASER Light?
- Monochromatic (1 wavelength)
- MINIMAL Divergence of waves
- Polarised + Parallel
- Coherent
What are the PHYSIOLOGICAL Effects of LASER Light?
- Trophic = For HEALING
- Pain-relief
- Anti-inflammatory
- Thermal
