High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a relatively new form of medical treatment that uses low-level laser light to treat a variety of ailments. However, high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is getting more and more popular as an alternative to surgery and other invasive treatments.
As technology advances, new ways of using lasers are also being discovered every day. One medical study shows that HILT has many side effects compared to surgical procedures like incisional hernia repair, herniorrhaphy, etc.
However, high-intensity laser therapy's side effects can ruin your health and also can help you to destroy cancer cells.
What Is High-Intensity Laser Therapy?
High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a type of treatment that uses a focused beam of light to destroy cancer cells. The high-energy laser beam is directed at the tumor, and the heat from the laser kills the cancer cells.
HILT is sometimes used to treat breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer. It can also be used to treat other types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.
HILT is usually done in an outpatient setting, which means you can go home the same day. The procedure can be done in one session or a series of sessions, depending on the size and location of the tumor.
6 Side Effects of High-intensity Laser therapy
High-intensity laser therapy can be a helpful treatment for some people, but it does have side effects. Make sure to research the treatment before you consent to it.
- Headache
The majority of high-intensity laser therapies are safe for most patients, but some laser therapy side effects can occur with this type of treatment. Headaches are one of the most common side effects reported by patients who have undergone high-intensity laser therapy for their headache condition. Here's what you need to know about headaches from HILT:
- Headaches often occur within an hour or two after treatment; however, some patients experience headaches more than 24 hours later. These headaches usually disappear on their own within several days.
- Some patients develop migraines after having received high-intensity laser therapy for their headache condition; however, many others do not experience any changes in their migraine symptoms.
- Eye Damage
The eye damage side effects of high-intensity laser therapy are very common, and it is one of the most common treatments in the world. High-intensity laser therapy has been used to treat several eye conditions, including dry eyes, glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.
The main side effect of high-intensity laser therapy is that it can cause permanent damage to your retina. When used for treating glaucoma, this damage may occur without any symptoms at all. However, if you experience any pain or discomfort after treatment, it could be a sign that your retina has been damaged.
If you are planning on having laser eye surgery, then it is important to check with your doctor first to make sure that this kind of treatment will not affect the outcome of your surgery.
- Muscle Soreness
As with any type of treatment, there are side effects associated with laser therapy. This can include muscle soreness and pain.
Muscle soreness is a common side effect of high-intensity laser therapy. It may be uncomfortable, but it should not be severe or persistent. The discomfort will usually go away within a few days to a week after treatment.
It's important to note that this discomfort is temporary, and it won't affect your ability to move or work out normally. You may have difficulty walking for a few days after your session, but you should be able to resume normal activities within a few days of your session.
- Skin Irritation
Skin irritation is another side effect of laser hair removal, especially when it's administered over a long period. While it's not permanent and can be treated, it can cause problems such as:
- Redness or swelling
- Burning or stinging
- Dryness or soreness
However, the National Library of Medicine has shown that there are potential risks and often some recovery time associated with laser skin surgery. How well the surgery is received by the patient is crucial to its perceived success.
Therefore, before performing any laser therapy, the doctor must completely explain all risks, probable consequences, and predicted morbidity. Unwanted consequences might still happen and must be immediately detected and dealt with, even if many can be prevented by using the proper intraoperative method and postoperative treatment.
An educated patient aids in the healing process and increases the likelihood that the surgery will be successful.
- Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness can be caused by several different factors, including:
- Individuals who are not used to high-intensity laser therapy may feel lightheaded when first starting treatment. This is especially true if you have had previous treatments with low-intensity laser therapy or other types of noninvasive therapies.
- Some people report feeling dizzy after they receive treatment. While this is usually temporary, it can also be a sign that your body is reacting negatively to the treatment.
If you experience any symptoms of lightheadedness during your treatment, consult your physician immediately. He or she will be able to determine whether you need additional medication to help prevent further symptoms from developing.
- Infection
Infection side effects of high-intensity laser therapy are rare, but they do occur. Infections can develop following the treatment of skin lesions and other types of lesions.
The most common infection is cellulitis, which is an inflammation at the site of the laser treatment. Cellulitis is caused by an infection in the skin and usually becomes worse if it is not properly treated. Other types of infections include folliculitis (infection in hair follicles) and impetigo (tiny boils).
The risk of developing an infection depends on how much damage is done to your skin during treatment.
If you have normal skin or skin that has been damaged by acne or other forms of acne scarring, then you are more likely to develop an infection than someone whose skin was healthy or who had few or no scars from previous acne breakouts on their face or body.
Conclusion
If you are wondering, can laser therapy make the pain worse? Then probably yes, but most of the time, it reduces pain. However, it seems to be very effective at treating more chronic conditions, but it can also work for severe injuries.
Since it is a non-intrusive treatment that is painless and fast, the patient experiences few side effects. If you get into an accident with a severe injury, bring your doctor some literature about this treatment so they can decide whether or not it can save you from some pain.