Hirudotherapy – an ancient method of treatment known to the world for several millennia. For many years it was used in official medicine, but with the advent of anticoagulants (drugs that inhibit blood clotting), hirudotherapy faded into the background, and later was completely forgotten.
A few decades ago, this variety of worms was again used to treat a wide variety of diseases. At the same time, hirudotherapy has a lot of opponents who say that the use of this method is fraught with a lot of dangers. What can a medical leech cure and what harm can this method of treatment cause? estet-portal.com invites you to sort out this difficult issue.
Medicinal leech: what is the benefit of treatment
There is an opinion that the only task of hirudotherapy – bloodletting. However, this statement is only partly true. The effect of the treatment is achieved due to three factors:
• Bleeding (5-15 ml per leech);
• Action of biologically active substances in leech saliva;
• The complex of human reaction to the procedure.
The saliva of medical and pharmaceutical leeches contains a huge amount of natural organic enzymes, the main of which is hirudin – an anticoagulant used to treat a number of conditions:
• angina pectoris;
• ischemic disease;
• vein thrombosis;
• thrombophlebitis;
• hemorrhoids.
In addition to the influence of enzymes, bloodletting is of great benefit in such treatment. It has a positive effect on:
• arterial hypertension;
• glaucoma;
• congestion in the liver;
• general intoxication of the body.
The above diseases – only a small part of the problems that hirudotherapy can cope with. Treatment with hirudotherapy – almost a universal remedy that can help with a huge number of ailments: from varicose veins to infertility.
How medical leeches are used in cosmetic procedures
In recent years, hirudotherapy has gained some popularity in cosmetology. It has a lymphatic drainage effect, and the biologically active substances contained in the leech secretion heal the skin and improve its appearance.
Medicinal leech is used in cosmetology to get rid of fine wrinkles, lighten pigmentation and even out skin tone. In addition, hirudotherapy improves blood flow, so that nutrients are absorbed faster.
Slight redness and swelling may occur for several days after using this method. It's quite normal – after 3-4 days the skin will return to normal.
How is hirudotherapy treated: types of leeches
To begin with, it should be noted that only two types of leeches are used in hirudotherapy: pharmacy and medical. All other species (and there are more than 800 of them!) are not suitable for the treatment of diseases.
Medical and pharmacy leeches are grown in special biofactories. They are sold by some pharmacy chains and medical centers. Of course, you don’t need to acquire living organisms on your own: you obviously shouldn’t engage in self-treatment here. If you decide to undergo hirudotherapy treatment, choose a reliable clinic that conducts it in accordance with all the rules.
Hirudotherapy session takes place in three stages:
• During the first 5 minutes, the leech bites through the skin.
• Within 7-10 minutes, it saturates the blood with useful enzymes.
• The rest of the time she just feeds on blood.
The duration of the session depends on the indications for the procedure: it can last from 15 minutes to one hour. When the procedure comes to an end, the leech is removed with iodine or alcohol.
The average course of hirudotherapy is 1.5 – 2 months. The frequency of procedures gradually decreases: the first three procedures are carried out every other day, and the last three – once a week.
Medicinal leech: what is the danger
Despite the great benefits, hirudotherapy has a number of contraindications. It is prohibited when:
• diseases that are accompanied by reduced blood clotting;
• hemolysis;
• Anemia;
• depletion of the body;
• allergies to leech enzymes;
• tuberculosis;
• oncological diseases.
It is worth mentioning separately about the violation of the rules of use. The fact is that a medicinal leech can only be used once. After the procedure is completed, they are destroyed: this is necessary to avoid the transmission of infections from one patient to the next.
However, in some clinics and beauty salons, leeches are used repeatedly: after use, they are placed in a solution of alcohol or salt, where they are freed from blood. A few days later they are used again. At this point, they no longer provide any benefit and can infect the patient with hepatitis B, C and other infections received from a previous client. That is why, after the procedure, the doctor is obliged to destroy medical leeches in front of the patient.
In conclusion, it should be noted that treatment with hirudotherapy – very useful procedure. If you have no contraindications and you are confident in the chosen clinic – feel free to take the course of treatment, and your body will thank you.
Read also: Panchakarma: how Indian cleansing of the body is carried out
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