phototherapy
- Noun:
- A medical treatment using light: Phototherapy is the therapeutic application of light, typically from specialized lamps or lasers, to treat certain medical conditions.
Phototherapy is a clinical procedure administered under medical supervision. It involves exposing the skin or the body to specific wavelengths of light for a prescribed duration. The term is most commonly used in dermatology and neonatology.
- Noun:
- The newborn with jaundice received phototherapy to lower bilirubin levels.
- Phototherapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- The dermatologist recommended a course of phototherapy for the patient's psoriasis.
Narrow-band UVB phototherapy: A specific type using a narrow range of ultraviolet B light, often for skin conditions like vitiligo or eczema.
- Narrow-band UVB phototherapy has fewer side effects than broad-band treatment.
Targeted phototherapy: Using a focused light source to treat small, specific areas of the skin.
- Targeted phototherapy is ideal for treating localized plaques of psoriasis.
Phototherapeutic (adj): Relating to or involving phototherapy.
- The phototherapeutic device emits blue light.
Phototherapist (n): A specialist who administers phototherapy.
- The phototherapist adjusted the lamps for the treatment session.
- Light therapy: A general synonym for phototherapy.
- Heliotherapy: Treatment using natural sunlight (a specific, historical form of phototherapy).
Photodynamic therapy (PDT): A related but distinct treatment combining a photosensitizing agent and light to destroy abnormal cells.
- Photodynamic therapy is used to treat certain cancers and actinic keratosis.
Bili lights: A colloquial term for the lights used in neonatal phototherapy for jaundice.
- The baby was placed under the bili lights.
- the use of strong light to treat acne or hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn