Red Light Therapy for Pneumonia- Key Facts Explained

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Red Light Therapy for Pneumonia Care
• How Red Light Therapy Supports Lung Health in Pneumonia
• Does Red Light Therapy Work for Pneumonia? What Research Says
• Clinical Studies on Red Light Therapy for Pneumonia Patients
• Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Pneumonia Support
• Total Spectrum Devices: Tailored Red Light Therapy for Respiratory Support
• Best Practices for Using Red Light Therapy for Pneumonia Care
• Conclusion: The Role of Red Light Therapy in Pneumonia Treatment
• FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

Pneumonia is a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection of the lungs. It results in inflammation within the lung's small air sacs, or alveoli, which become filled with fluid or pus. It makes it hard to breathe and hurts. There is only one way to breathe, and that is the proper way to breathe, which is necessary to survive because, through breathing, the body can receive sufficient oxygen. Oxygen is involved in numerous functions of the body and is necessary for energy.

Pneumonia patients usually feel weak throughout their bodies because of a lack of sufficient oxygen. They are stressed and frustrated as well because standard therapies such as antibiotics can provide only short-term relief, do not work for everyone, and in some instances, have adverse effects.

An anti-inflammatory, non-invasive alternative that is currently under consideration is red light therapy. Red light therapy utilizes the application of low wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, which penetrate deep into cells to stimulate natural healing processes. Red light therapy, because of its anti-inflammatory action, can reduce symptoms of pneumonia and promote healing in lung tissue damaged by infection.

Here, we will be presenting how red light therapy for pneumonia works, its benefits, and what recent research has discovered about this new approach.

Understanding Pneumonia: Causes, Types, and Symptoms

Pneumonia is an illness that infects and inflames the small air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. It fills alveoli with pus or fluid and makes the lungs swell. It is more dangerous for babies, older adults, or people with compromised immune systems. It causes breathing difficulty and persistent chest pain, and may be mild or extremely severe.

It will disrupt daily activity since good breathing is an absolute survival requirement; insufficient oxygen levels can cause potentially lethal health consequences and fatigue. Pneumonia has many different types of causative pathogens. Some bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae are frequent culprits, but some viruses like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also causes. Fungal infections are less frequent but can cause pneumonia in the immunocompromised host.

The illness is categorized into groups depending on where and how it develops.  There's community-acquired pneumonia, which you acquire outside of the hospital, and hospital-acquired pneumonia, which you acquire while in the hospital and is more difficult to treat with medication.  Aspiration pneumonia results when food, beverages, or vomit enters the lungs by error.

Signs of pneumonia are a persistent cough, fever, chills, pain in the chest when breathing in or exhaling, and shortness of breath. Fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, or confusion, particularly in elderly individuals, are also symptoms of pneumonia.

Challenges with Traditional Pneumonia Treatments

Pneumonia patients are required to undergo conventional treatments since only antibiotics, antiviral medication, and antifungal drugs can fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Oxygen therapy and fluids must also be administered in such situations. Even though these therapies are beneficial in most situations, they pose a multitude of issues.

One of the most frequent problems with antibiotics is resistance. When antibiotics are overused or abused, they make some bacteria more difficult to treat, causing severe infections and longer times for recovery. Side effects include upset stomach, allergic reactions, or liver disease.

It may be viral or fungal pneumonia rather than bacterial pneumonia, which may take some time to determine and might worsen in the meantime.  In severe cases or in individuals with chronic illness or compromised immune systems, hospital admission is required.  It is very expensive and more likely to result in hospital-acquired infection.

The Science Behind Red Light Therapy for Respiratory Healing

Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation, involves the use of red and near-infrared light of precise wavelengths. The red and near-infrared light penetrates deeply into tissues and affects natural healing phenomena. Red light therapy stimulates respiratory healing by triggering cellular healing, increasing blood flow, and reducing inflammation.

Because the therapeutic range of red and near-infrared light is readily absorbed by tissues, it stimulates the mitochondria, the organelles that provide cells with energy. Once absorbed by the mitochondria, they generate increased amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule responsible for powering the repair and regeneration of cells. Increased energy results in improved functioning of lung cells, reduced swelling, improved circulation, and enhanced healing of damaged tissue. The improved circulation provides greater oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells, enabling them to heal more efficiently.

Red light therapy also has powerful anti-inflammatory capabilities. It is able to drain inflammation within the lungs by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause puffiness. It also soothes oxidative stress, which tends to aggravate lung diseases such as pneumonia or chronic bronchitis. Red light therapy reduces oxidative damage and inflammation, making airways more transparent and lung functions healthier, hence easier to breathe during recovery.

Scientific research on red light therapy for pneumonia is in its infancy, but early results are encouraging. Some research indicates that red light therapy reduces lung inflammation by suppressing the formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Other research shows that it aids lung healing by improving circulation and blood flow.

Generally, red light treatment works to establish a healing-friendly environment and make it more difficult for dangerous pathogens to grow.

Study 1: Photobiomodulation Therapy Shows Promise for COVID-19 Pneumonia Recovery.

Objective

The study aimed to establish if incorporating photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), a light treatment that has proven to reduce inflammation and promote healing, would improve recovery in COVID-19 pneumonia patients when used together with standard medical treatment.

Results

Ten patients took part in the study. The patients who received PBMT as part of standard treatment had greater recovery of the lungs, better oxygen levels, and better scores on pneumonia tests. None of them needed admission to the ICU with ventilation, and all of them were free from long-term complications after five months. Nevertheless, 60% of patients who received standard treatment alone required admission to the ICU with ventilation, 40% died, and 40% had long-term medical complications after five months.

Conclusion

The application of PBMT as an adjunct to usual medical care appears to be safe and effective to help the recovery of COVID-19 pneumonia patients rapidly and avoid severe complications.

Study 2: Red-Light Low-Level Laser Therapy Reduces Lung Inflammation in COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Objective

The objective of this research was to determine if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with red light could decrease lung inflammation in COVID-19 patients with acute viral pneumonia when supplemented with their usual medical treatment.

Results

Participants who were treated with red-light LLLT in addition to regular COVID-19 care were contrasted with those who only received regular care. Pre- and post-treatment measurements indicated that the group treated with LLLT exhibited significant improvements in lung inflammation and respiratory function in comparison to their baseline scores and to the control group.

Conclusion

Supplementing standard COVID-19 therapy with red-light LLLT seems to reduce lung inflammation and enhance breathing in acute viral pneumonia patients safely.

Study 3: Red-Light Photobiomodulation as a Supportive Therapy for Early COVID-19 Respiratory Symptoms.

Objective

The aim of this case report was to establish whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) with red light at wavelengths of 630 nm and 660 nm could safely reduce lung inflammation, improve oxygenation, and alleviate respiratory challenges in patients presenting with early symptoms of acute infectious respiratory syndrome, later confirmed as COVID-19.

Results

Two females aged approximately 60 years, both with signs of extreme respiratory infection, were treated with PBMT 7 cm above the chest to include the lungs and heart. Both post-treatment demonstrated obvious relief of breathing distress, improved oxygenation, and decreased lung inflammation. Neither patient needed emergency department care or hospital admission for worsening symptoms at onset.

Conclusion

Red-light PBMT can potentially quell lung inflammation, enhance oxygenation, and avoid critical respiratory distress in early COVID-19 and other infectious lung illnesses. It cannot prevent infection, but this non-surgical treatment is promising as a supplemental treatment to limit complications and mitigate the burden on the healthcare system.

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Device

When treating pneumonia at home, you can also use red light therapy. Before doing so, ensure you buy a high-quality device. Most devices available today are not safe to use and lack essential functions that could benefit you. When buying a good-quality unit, look for the following features:

Light Intensity

Your device should produce the therapeutic spectrum of red and near-infrared light. For pneumonia, your device should produce red light in the range of 610, 630, 633, 650 and 660 nm and near-infrared light in the range of 810, 830, 850, 980 and 1064 nm since these are the wavelengths that are effective in lessening inflammation from the lungs and promoting healing of injured tissues in the lungs by exciting higher energy production and improving blood flow.

Enough Power Irradiance

Your device should give out enough power irradiance for light to pass into the tissues deep without any stoppage.

FDA-approved

Your device should be FDA-approved or obtain a safety certificate from another country-based authority because such devices have undergone rigorous testing and proved safe and effective to use at home.

Source of Light

You should use only quality light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, not halogens or incandescents, to produce the focused red and near-infrared light that your device requires.

Adjustable Intensity

Your device should have adjustable settings that enable you to set the light as per your requirements and comfort.

Portability

Your device should be lightweight and portable so you can carry it anywhere you wish and you don't miss any of your sessions.

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Lung Healing

Don't waste your hard-earned money on low-quality products since buying a red light therapy device is an investment. Go to RLT Home to purchase a high-quality device. RLT Home is a company that manufactures a series of high-quality and elegantly designed red light therapy devices. These devices emit the proper range of red and near-infrared light, which is therapeutically and clinically proven. They are FDA-approved, so there is nothing to fear about the safety and efficacy of the device. They all have medical-grade LEDs and offer adequate power output such that the light penetrates very deeply into tissues.

These are long-lasting devices that are simple to use at home. Sleek and compact, the device is easily moved from room to room. Taking good care of your RLT Home unit can serve you for many years while keeping you supported in your general wellness.

Finding the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance

For red light therapy, it's best to be regular rather than sit for too long a session. Begin with 10–15 minutes at a time, two or three times a day. This provides your body with enough light to heal without overdoing it. If that feels good, you can gradually build up to approximately 20 minutes, but only if you remain comfortable. Be aware of your body's response; if you notice irritation or heat, reduce the time or frequency of sessions.

How close you hold the device does matter, too. A general rule of thumb is to hold it between 6–12 inches away from your skin. Too close and it can feel warm; too far and the light won't penetrate as well. Attempt to sit in a comfortable position, breathe deeply, and have the light shine directly onto your chest so it can access the lungs and the tissues surrounding them.

Generally, red light therapy is a drug-free, non-surgical modality that naturally stimulates the respiratory and lung systems. RLT increases the efficiency of mitochondria, which results in increased energy production, enabling healing and cell regeneration at a greater rate, and aiding in the regulation of inflammation and circulation. Red light therapy has been beneficial in treating pneumonia by soothing inflammation and enhancing energy production to enable recovery of cells in the alveoli. You can also use a high-end red light therapy system from RLT Home that makes it easy to have professional-level red light therapy in your own home.

Is red light therapy good for the lungs?

Yes, red light therapy is good for the lungs because, by stimulating increased energy production, enhancing blood flow, and reducing inflammation, it supports lung health.

Can I use red light therapy on my chest?

Yes, you can use red light therapy on your chest because it does not cause any side effects and is safe for your body and skin. In fact, using red light therapy on your chest can help promote healthy lungs and improve the skin on your chest.

Does red light therapy help with infections?

Yes, red light therapy can help the body fight infections by reducing inflammation and boosting natural healing. It supports cells in repairing faster, which may speed up recovery.

References

1. Evaluation of Adjunctive Photobiomodulation (PBMT) for COVID-19 Pneumonia via Clinical Status and Pulmonary Severity Indices in a Preliminary Trial.
2. LLLT Treatment of Lung Inflammation in COVID-19.
3. Early cases of acute infectious respiratory syndrome treated with photobiomodulation, diagnosis and intervention: Two case reports.

Learn More

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