Hirudotherapy: should you be treated with leeches

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Toothy worms are sometimes really effective medicine.

With hirudotherapy Medicinal leech therapy (hirudotherapy): a brief overview (treatment with leeches), mankind has been familiar for many thousands of years. So, in ancient Egypt, "leech" bloodletting was used to treat battle wounds, diseases of the skin, nervous system, various infections and even toothache.

It is curious that modern doctors do not deny the health benefits of leeches. Hirudotherapy is used by What Is Leech Therapy?, for example, in preparation for plastic surgery, to reduce the risks of thrombosis, varicose veins and other conditions associated with circulatory disorders. In fact, these creatures act as an alternative to some drugs. And for good reason.

How hirudotherapy works

The Hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry medicinal leeches have three jaws with about a hundred small sharp teeth each. With these teeth, a predatory worm pierces the skin and, clinging to it, drinks up to 15 ml of blood in 20–45 minutes. The therapeutic effect of the bite is due to the composition of saliva, which the leech sends into the blood of its "victim".

When bitten, the leech releases Medicinal leech therapy-an overall perspective more than 20 biologically active substances that affect the human body.

Among them are Hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry:

• Hirudin. It is an anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting and thus makes it more fluid and flowing. Hirudin is considered a more powerful anticoagulant than the famous medical drug heparin.
• Hyaluronidase. This enzyme has a resorbing effect and accelerates the healing of wounds, abrasions, reduces bruises and scars. It is often used in plastic surgery to eliminate the unwanted consequences of the operation. In addition, hyaluronidase works as a local antibiotic, protecting wounds from pathogenic microbes.
• Destabilase. The enzyme actively dissolves blood clots (blood clots) that interfere with blood flow.

In addition, leech saliva contains substances that improve skin regeneration, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as antioxidant properties.

What can be treated with hirudotherapy

The compounds that go into the saliva of leeches are so effective that What Is Leech Therapy was created from them? medicines for the treatment of hypertension, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, skin problems, arthritis.

But leeches are also used live. Here are a few conditions that hirudotherapy can help with.

Osteoarthritis

This is a common joint disease caused by wear and tear of the cartilage tissue. Due to the thinning of the cartilage, the bones in the joints begin to rub against each other, which causes pain, swelling, and limited mobility.

The leeches are applied to the area of the affected joint. The active substances in their saliva help relieve pain and swelling.

Cardiovascular diseases

Leech saliva helps Leech Therapeutic Applications temporarily improve blood flow, reduce inflammation of the vessel walls, and help prevent deep vein thrombosis and ischemia.

Diabetes

One of the serious complications of diabetes mellitus is poor circulation in the legs. Due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients, muscles, bones, and other tissues can die, and the injured leg is amputated in this case.

The most effective way to stop necrosis is to improve blood circulation in the affected tissues. Leech Therapeutic Applications is known that in some cases hirudotherapy can eliminate the need for amputation.

Certain types of cancer

In case of blood cancer, hirudotherapy is not recommended. But there is evidence from Hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry that substances contained in the saliva of leeches can slow down the development of lung cancer.

Attention! Hirudotherapy is by no means a substitute for treatment. It can be used only as an adjuvant and only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Who shouldn't use hirudotherapy

In general, What Is Leech Therapy? that hirudotherapy is safe and has fewer side effects than other treatments. However, there are some risks.

So, doctors strongly advise not to be treated with wild leeches that live uncontrollably in open water. These creatures can infect you with a bacterial infection Preventing Infective Complications following Leech Therapy: Elimination of Symbiotic Aeromonas spp. from the Intestine of Hirudo verbana Using Antibiotic Feeding. And sometimes one that will be resistant to the action of common antibiotics.

In addition, some people are allergic to leech saliva.

Therefore, it is important to carry out hirudotherapy under the supervision of doctors in order to respond to an allergic reaction in time and not get anaphylactic shock.

Despite the relative safety, some people still contraindicate hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry. These include:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• children;
• people with blood diseases - absolute hemophilia, leukemia, arterial insufficiency;
• people diagnosed with anemia of any kind.