Even before our era, people believed that all diseases are associated with stagnation of blood. Therefore, malaise was most often disposed of by bloodletting. For this, not only sharp objects were used, but also small worms that lived in reservoirs were also used. This method of treatment is now called hirudotherapy. The benefits and harms of leech treatment have been tested for centuries.
History of hirudotherapy
Leech treatment, or hirudotherapy, is an ancient art. The first mention of such a procedure can be found in the works of ancient Indian and Persian scientists. The Roman explorer Pliny the Elder described in detail the magical properties of blood-sucking worms.
Several centuries later, Avicenna, in the "Canon of Medicine", the most famous of his works, carefully considered issues related to such a method of treatment as hirudotherapy. The benefits and harms of leeches were studied in detail by him. It is believed that this is one of the first in-depth studies in the field of treatment with bloodsuckingworms.
In the Middle Ages, when the ministers of the church took up medicine, this type of treatment was banned. But they failed to completely eradicate the habit of people to use leeches in the fight against the disease. In the villages, local healers did not stop healing everyone in this way.
In the Renaissance, all doctors again turned to hirudotherapy. The method soon took root in the UK. It was believed that bloodletting could save from death. People had no doubt that leeches sucked out only bad blood, which caused he alth problems.
Hirudotherapy is gaining former popularity these days. Its benefits and harms have already been studied in more detail. Research laboratories are now being opened to study the healing abilities of these worms, and enterprises are being created to grow them.
Biological features of leeches
Leeches are a kind of annelids. Most of them parasitize large animals. The body is flattened, without a pronounced head section. On the body of the victim, they are strengthened with the help of suction cups.
At the head of the body is a mouth with three rows of teeth, with which the worms pierce the skin to suck blood. During this, the leeches increase several times. It is enough for these parasites to feed several times a year.
Why are leeches so useful?
The saliva of these creatures contains a component that contains many useful biologically activesubstances. First of all, they prevent the formation of blood clots, and also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Since when bitten, the saliva of worms enters the bloodstream, moving through the blood vessels that pass through the entire human body, it can positively affect the entire body.
Which leeches can treat
Not all types of leeches have healing properties. Ordinary inhabitants of reservoirs are not suitable for medical procedures. This requires special worms grown in the sterility of laboratories, and they can only be used once. The benefits and harms of hirudotherapy depend on the type and correctness of the treatment. Self-medication can cause irreparable harm to he alth. Non-medical leeches can be carriers of various diseases, so you should not deal with this on your own.
The benefits of hirudotherapy, or What are the benefits of leeches
There are few diseases that cannot be treated with leeches. Therefore, the scope of these worms is quite extensive. It has many advantages over other methods. The main ones are the absence of negative consequences, side effects and a minimum of contraindications, which is confirmed by experts. Hirudotherapy is used in dentistry, gynecology, urology, gastroenterology and other fields of medicine. Thanks to leeches, you can effortlessly dissolve kidney stones, cure infertility, and increase immunity. In addition, they are able to cope where other methods are powerless.
Judging by the feedback from patients, in some cases hirudotherapy is used not as an independent method of treatment, but in combination with drugs. You can take a course of therapy with certain medications and at the same time put leeches. Experts believe that these worms can relieve pain.
It should be noted that leeches can be used not only to treat certain diseases. They can be used to prevent diseases. Hirudotherapy can improve the condition of even an absolutely he althy person.
Indications for treatment
Many are interested in the benefits of hirudotherapy and when to use it. Since this procedure does not have any side effects, it is indicated for many people with various diseases. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. Best of all, leeches will help people who are predisposed to diseases, which can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, and excessive consumption of sweets. These can be diseases such as hemorrhoids, constipation, thrombophlebitis. In some cases, leeches are the only chance to get rid of these problems. Just a few sessions will help get rid of blood stasis in the pelvic organs and limbs.
Anti-inflammatory substances found in leeches' saliva may help treat infections. Experts advise using hirudotherapy for those who have weak immunity.
It is believed that with the help of these creatures one can heal nerves. Substances that penetratein the human body with a leech bite, promote the growth of nerve cells. This feature helps during the recovery period after a stroke, with multiple sclerosis and other diseases.
Modern experts have learned to use the magical properties of worms in cosmetology. Enzymes in the saliva of leeches have anti-aging properties. In addition, hirudotherapy is used to treat cellulite. There is even a special branch in cosmetology called hirudoplasty. But it is recommended to eliminate digestive problems before proceeding with the procedure, otherwise the effect will not last long.
Recently, leeches have been taken to eliminate psychological problems. With their help, you can get rid of depression, cheer up, eliminate sleep disorders. Nowadays, it has been repeatedly proven what a find is hirudotherapy. The benefits and harms of treatment have been tested by many patients.
Contraindications
Despite the large number of applications, like many other methods, hirudotherapy also has contraindications. The benefits and harms that the procedure can bring to the body depend on compliance with the rules. Before starting treatment, you need to consult with your doctor. To begin with, they donate blood for analysis, according to which the specialist will determine whether the procedure is needed now, or it can be postponed.
The use of leeches is strictly contraindicated in hemophilia, when even the slightest wound can lead to serious consequences. Also, do not resort to hirudotherapy duringduring pregnancy, during menstruation, when there is a natural loss of blood, with anemia, otherwise it can lead to a decrease in already low hemoglobin. Doctors forbid the use of leeches for cancer. This method of treatment is prohibited for people who have individual intolerance to certain components in their saliva, but such cases are very rare.
Harm of hirudotherapy
The benefits and harms of hirudotherapy cannot be equated to each other. No matter how magical the leech treatment method may seem, it is important to know that it may not always bring benefits and the desired effect. But if you follow all the tips and pay attention to contraindications, then the procedure cannot cause any harm. The main thing is to consult with a specialist. Increasingly popular is such a non-standard method of treatment as hirudotherapy. Benefits and harms, patient reviews suggest that soon this method of getting rid of diseases will be firmly established in medicine.
