Table of Contents
- Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Cough Relief
- How Red Light Therapy Supports Respiratory Health
- Does Red Light Therapy Work for Cough? What Research Says
- Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Cough and Lung Health
- Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Cough Relief
- Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Respiratory Health
- Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Cough Relief
- Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance
- Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Managing Cough Naturally
- FAQs: Addressing Common Questions
Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Cough Relief
A cough is a reflex that serves to dislodge irritants from the airways, including mucus, dust, germs, or foreign bodies. While coughing in response to irritation in the throat or lungs is a normal occurrence, it becomes a concern when it persists. A brief cough is most likely harmless, but an ongoing cough can be extremely bothersome, rendering it troublesome to concentrate on day-to-day activities and even affecting sleep. Individuals suffering from this tend to get frustrated and lose hope of recovery. They mostly attempt home remedies in addition to conventional treatment, but the disease tends to persist.
Conventional therapies and over-the-counter drugs can provide symptomatic relief, but they do not necessarily treat the underlying cause. Although these medicines may make you feel better temporarily, the cough tends to recur—your throat dries up and gets irritated again, and the cycle repeats itself. Due to these temporary effects, increasing numbers of people are seeking non-invasive, side-effect-free alternatives.
Fortunately, red light therapy has emerged as a potential alternative. Red light therapy is an entirely drug-free, non-invasive treatment that may reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and alleviate respiratory distress—an all-natural alternative to help relieve cough symptoms. In this article, we will discuss how red light therapy treats cough, its benefits, and what science reveals about its efficacy.
Understanding Cough: Causes and Types
Coughing is a natural body defense mechanism that helps to protect the lungs and keep the air passages clear. It is one of the body's natural reflexes, which are meant to protect you from injury. For example, when food particles or dust enter the respiratory system, particularly the lungs, they can cause damage to the tiny air sacs known as alveoli. This can render the entire respiratory system non-functional, making breathing difficult. Coughing helps remove irritants like dust, smoke, mucus, or foreign material.
A persistent cough is usually a sign of an underlying disease and becomes a serious concern when it persists. Several reasons can induce a cough:
Infections
The most common causes of an acute cough are viral infections like the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, bronchitis, pneumonia, or pertussis.
Chronic respiratory conditions
Long-term conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, or post-nasal drip can lead to a chronic cough.
Environmental irritants
With pollution increasingly becoming a fact of life, smoke, dust, fumes, or allergens can lead to a cough.
Medications
Certain medications, especially ACE inhibitors used for hypertension, can lead to a chronic cough as a side effect.
Coughs can generally be divided into two large categories based on duration:
Acute cough
Lasts for less than three weeks and is usually caused by infections like colds or respiratory viruses.
Chronic cough
Lasts longer than eight weeks in adults and may be a symptom of an underlying medical illness that requires treatment.
Coughs are also differentiated by their character:
Dry cough
Does not expel mucus and usually feels irritating or tickly. Allergies, viral infections, and throat irritation are the usual causes.
Productive (wet) cough
Employs phlegm or mucus and is usually associated with infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Challenges with Traditional Cough Treatments
If you have ever had a stubborn cough, you may have tried conventional treatments and home remedies that provide temporary relief. I am guilty of it myself—I took two or three doses of cough syrup, and I feel better, and the severity of the cough decreases. However, after a while, the cough returns. It is so irritating because you are on the treatment regularly, but are not recovering completely. This is because conventional treatments can't address the root causes, such as inflammation, allergies, or other breathing problems that trigger coughing.
Conventional cough remedies include over-the-counter syrups, lozenges, and prescription medications. Drowsiness or other side effects often make cough medicines unsuitable for long-term use. Chronic coughs result in repeated medication use that provides only transient relief, followed by the return of symptoms. Additionally, some medicines are not effective against all kinds of cough, and excessive use makes them ineffective or causes dependency.
How Red Light Therapy Supports Respiratory Health
The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Inflammation and Healing
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, is a painless process that utilizes low red and near-infrared light wavelengths. These rays penetrate the skin and trigger the body's natural healing processes. Red light therapy is a harmless procedure for enhancing the health of the respiratory tract, as it does not involve unsafe chemicals or sharp objects that leave incisions.
When red and infrared light hit your tissues, they activate the mitochondria—the cell powerhouses. Mitochondria are stimulated to create more adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the cellular energy currency that controls cellular activities and enables damaged cells and tissues to repair and restore themselves more quickly. Red light therapy facilitates the regeneration of cells in damaged tissues of the respiratory tract.
Moreover, red light therapy alleviates inflammation, which is one of the most frequent causes of coughing, by suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also enhances the immune system's function, allowing it to combat infections and other underlying diseases more effectively, which can lead to coughing.
Does Red Light Therapy Work for Cough? What Research Says
Research on red light therapy (RLT) for cough is ongoing, and initial trials have been encouraging. Red light therapy's potential in modulating inflammation and promoting tissue healing could alleviate inflamed respiratory tissues, potentially reducing coughing. Improvements in respiratory disorders, including bronchitis and asthma, characterized by chronic coughing, have been demonstrated in some clinical trials.
Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Cough and Lung Health
Study 1:
Objective
The purpose of this research was to compare the impact of near-infrared LED light therapy with traditional respiratory physiotherapy in COVID-19 patients. The objective was to determine whether LED therapy would improve lung function, decrease the length of hospital stays, and reduce oxygen support needs.
Results
Following 7 days of therapy, patients treated with the LED therapy had quicker hospital discharge than those with only conventional treatment. They also experienced improvements in lung and heart function, including enhanced oxygen levels, increased breathing capacity, and a reduced heart rate. Moreover, immune response-related blood cell changes were observed, showing better recovery.
Conclusion
Near-infrared LED treatment, used in conjunction with standard therapy, may enable COVID-19 patients to recover more quickly by enhancing heart and lung function and supporting the immune system. This indicates LED phototherapy has the potential to be a useful, non-invasive adjunct to conventional breathing care.
Study 2: Procedure: Deep-Tissue Transdermal Photobiomodulation Using Red and Near-Infrared Light (650–850 nm).
Objective
To test the effectiveness of deep-tissue transdermal photobiomodulation (PBM) with alternating red (650 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm) light as the sole or main therapy for COVID-19. The treatment was designed to alleviate symptoms and aid in recovery in patients infected with COVID-19 without supplemental oxygen or medication.
Results
- 41 of the 50 patients reported notable relief from symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and body pain within 4 days of initiating PBM.
- All 50 patients recovered completely within 3 weeks, without requiring supplemental oxygen.
- SpO2 blood oxygen levels rose by a mean of 2.5 points, with individual patients experiencing increases of up to 9 points.
- A number of therapy sessions was correlated with how quickly therapy was started after the development of symptoms — the sooner therapy was initiated, the quicker the recovery.
- Severe symptoms resolved rapidly, even among patients whose treatment was delayed.
Conclusion
Photobiomodulation by red (650 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm) light is a promising non-interventional therapy for COVID-19. It significantly reduces the severity and duration of symptoms, particularly if initiated early, and can assist patients to recover without medication or oxygen therapy.
Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Cough Relief
Key Features to Look for in an Effective Device
If you wish to use red light therapy for a cough at home, you need to purchase an efficient red light therapy device. Not all devices possess the required features, and these devices do not heal the illness, especially respiratory issues. To purchase a good red light therapy device, you need to take into account these features:
Specific Wavelength
Your product must emit the therapeutic spectrum of light. For cough, your product must emit red light in the range of 610, 630, 633, and 650 nm, as well as near-infrared light in the range of 810, 830, 850, and 1064 nm, since these wavelengths of light effectively drive cell healing, modulate the immune system response, and suppress inflammation.
Power Output and Irradiance
Your device must be capable of providing sufficient power irradiance (irradiance of 10–50 mW/cm²) that allows the light to penetrate deeply into your tissues without causing burns on your skin.
FDA-approved
Your device must be FDA-approved or obtain other approvals, such as CE or RoHS, to ensure its efficacy and safety, because the devices that acquire these approvals are safe and effective to use.
Adjustable Timer and Intensity Settings
Your device ought to feature adjustable intensity and timer settings and heat control, which prevents overheating during sessions.
Simple-to-use Features
Your device should include simple-to-use features, such as hands-free use and portability. With hands-free use, you won't need to hold your device for long periods, and portability allows you to move it anywhere you desire.
Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Respiratory Health
Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Cough Relief and Respiratory Support
RLT Home is an organization that offers a range of high-quality, top-standard red light therapy devices. Their Total Spectrum devices emit the proper wavelengths of red and near-infrared light—and combinations of both—to help treat numerous conditions, such as coughing and respiratory enhancement. Their devices are FDA-approved and have been certified by other approvals such as CE and RoHS, which makes them practical and safe.
Their quality can be discerned as each device carries two to three performance and safety certifications. The devices, which come in different sizes, possess sufficient power irradiance and utilize high-quality LEDs for consistent light penetration, allowing for faster healing. They include all the features one would want from a top-class red light therapy device. RLT Home has also achieved a decent level of customer loyalty due to its excellent customer service.
Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Cough Relief
Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance
When using red light therapy for cough relief and respiratory well-being, it's essential to determine the correct dosage so you can notice the effects without overexposure. Here's what you need to know in a nutshell:
Frequency
Start with one session daily, especially if you're new to red light therapy. As the body acclimatizes, you can take two sessions daily if necessary—once in the morning and once at night.
Session Length
Each session should not exceed 10 to 20 minutes based on the intensity of your device. Do not stay at one location for more than 20 minutes to prevent overexposure.
Distance from the Device
Place the device about 6 to 12 inches away from your body. This allows the light to penetrate deep into your tissues without being overwhelming.
Always use what the manufacturer says and listen to your body. Warmth but no pain means you're doing it correctly. Daily usage, with proper timing and distance, reduces inflammation and promotes natural healing.
Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Managing Cough Naturally
Lastly, red light therapy is an all-natural, non-pharmacological, and non-surgical way to treat coughs and eliminate the root causes, such as inflammation and respiratory irritation. The best part about this is that you don't have to go to a hospital or clinic to enjoy its benefits. With the proper red light therapy equipment, such as that provided by RLT Home, you can simply perform therapy sessions within the comfort of your home. Such equipment is designed to provide the precise wavelengths of light used for effectively triggering healing and relieving inflammation. This renders red light therapy an easy and accessible means of managing cough, allowing you to take charge of your respiratory well-being without the use of drugs or regular doctor visits.
FAQs: Addressing Common Questions
Can red light therapy help your lungs?
Yes, red light therapy helps your lungs by reducing inflammation, stimulating cellular recovery in respiratory tissues, and enhancing blood circulation.
Should you do red light therapy when sick?
Yes, you can use red light therapy when you are sick, as it stimulates the natural healing processes in your body and helps you heal faster by supporting your immune system.
Can you use red light therapy on the chest?
Yes, you can use red light therapy on the chest because this method reduces inflammation and supports healing in the respiratory area, which may improve lung health and relieve a cough.
Who can't use red light therapy?
You should not use red light therapy if you are taking medications that cause light sensitivity or if you have skin conditions such as rashes or skin cancer.