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Porphyria / p ɔːr ˈ f ɪr i ə / is a group of disorders in which substances called porphyrins build up in the body, adversely affecting the skin or nervous system. [1] The types that affect the nervous system are also known as acute porphyria, as symptoms are rapid in onset and short in duration. [1]
Rapid flickers in intensity of light may trigger or aggravate photosensitive epilepsy, epileptic seizure, or migraine headaches. [4] Conditions that may include sensitivity to light include vertigo and chronic fatigue syndrome. Controlled application of artificial light can be used in a program of light therapy to treat some disorders.
Light therapy, also called phototherapy or bright light therapy is the exposure to direct sunlight or artificial light at controlled wavelengths in order to treat a variety of medical disorders, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD), circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, cancers, neonatal jaundice, and skin wound infections.
In plants, an essential porphyrin derivative is chlorophyll, which is involved in light harvesting and electron transfer in photosynthesis. The parent of porphyrins is porphine, a rare chemical compound of exclusively theoretical interest. Substituted porphines are called porphyrins. [1]
The history of light therapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt and India, where therapy with natural sunlight was first used to treat leucoderma. [3] In the 1850s, Florence Nightingale's advocacy of exposure to clean air and sunlight for health restoration also contributed to the initial development of light therapy for treatments. [4]
UVB light therapy can be used to target single patches or widespread areas, often combined with topical treatments. While some forms of light therapy can risk severe burns, most side effects are ...
Many synthetic compounds, including drug substances like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones, are known to cause these effects. Surface contact with some such chemicals causes photodermatitis, and many plants cause phytophotodermatitis. Light-induced toxicity is a common phenomenon in humans; however, it also occurs in other animals.
Bright light therapy, widely understood to be an effective treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can also be helpful in treating other types of depression, finds a new meta-analysis ...