Leech Therapy Articles1. Introduction to Leech Therapy 2. What
you should know about Leech 3. What you should know about Leech
Therapy 4. How to apply leech therapy - examination 5. How to apply
leech therapy - preparation 6. How to apply leech therapy -
attachment and encouraging attachment 7. Monitoring Leech Therapy
8. The leech detachment and disposal 9. Leech Therapy Frequency 10.
Complications and Infections 11. Leech Therapy for Baldness 12.
Leech Therapy for Diabetes 13. Leech Therapy for Eye Diseases 14.
Leech Therapy for Gum Diseases 15. Leech Therapy for Hearing
Problems 16. Leech Therapy for Heart Diseases 17. Leech Therapy for
High Blood Pressure 18. Leech Therapy for Hepatitis 19. Leech
Therapy for Kidney Disease 20. Leech Therapy for Migraines 21.
Leech Therapy for OsteoarthritisFormatted: Font: Italic
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22. Leech Therapy for Skin Diseases
Hirudinaria manillensis
Leech is very popular in today's world. Leeches are used for
medical purposes, as live baits and also for many beneficial uses.
The world's leech demand is increasing tremendously. That's why
LeechForSale.com is here to provide leeches worldwide. Medicinal
leech is cross barred with brown and black and grows to eight
inches (20cm) in length. The medicinal leech has a sucker at each
end of the underside of its body. The sucker at one end contains
the animal's mouth. The other sucker acts as a suction cup when the
leech attaches itself to its victim. Once attached, the leech
slashes its victim's skin with its sharp teeth and sucks the blood.
The leech injects into the wound a substance that keep blood from
clotting. A leech can ingest up to five times its weight in blood
and then live up to 6 months without food.
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The leeches that LeechForSale.com provides are Hirudinaria
manillensis or Buffalo leech which are medical leeches or leeches
used for medications and cosmetics
Introduction to Leech TherapyLeech Therapy is an adaptation of
ancient medication. The Egyptian has used leeches for therapy since
2000 years ago. Leech can be used in various therapies such as :
hand/leg/nerve pain, thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid,
cholesterol, uric acid, varicose veins, drugs addiction, pimples
and blotches, menstruation pain, epilepsy, facial toning, calf
slimming, heart diseases such as swollen heart, weak heart, leaky
heart, the narrowing and the blockage of coronary arteries, etc.
The point of leech therapy is mostly to dilute the blood clotting.
Gore dilution can reduce high blood pressure, improve blood flow,
dissolve blood plaque, normalize the narrowing nerve tracts,
decrease cholesterol level, improve the arteries flexibility,
decrease nerve tension, reduce superoxide rate which is capable of
damaging heart muscle tissue, and finally improve body immune
system. Leech Saliva is produced in the process of Leech Therapy.
When the leeches start to suck blood, their saliva enters the
patient blood. Leech saliva contains various useful natural
chemical substances. Therefore, in 1-2 hours of the therapy, your
blood will have mixed perfectly with these natural chemical
substances :
1. Hirudin : enters the coagulant (gore) and helps it come out
from the bite. 2. Anti infection ( penicillin ) : to prevent
infection. 3. Calin : the substance located in gore which usually
blocks the von wilebrand factor, and also functioning as mediator
in blood-stucture aggregation process or platelet. 4. Destabilase :
a monomerizing activity which is to solve vibrind ( the result of
gore ). 5. Hirustasin : functioning as protein solven agent to
improve digestion. 6. Bdellins : the chemical substance that can
reduce skin inflammation, swollen skin, and itchy skin. 7.
Hyaluronidase : an antibiotic to prevent infection. 8. Anesthetic
Substance : the anesthetic for certain area in the body (local
anesthetic). 9. Triptase Inhibitor : a substance produced in
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10. Egllins : the anti-swollen substance. 11. Xainhibitor factor
: the anti-gore substance (anti-coagulant). 12. Complement
Inhibitors : a substitute for any missing components. 13.
Carboxypeptydase alnhibitors : blood-flow enhancer around the leech
bite area. 14. Histamine-like substance : maximize the arteri
tracts to help better blood flow. Surgeons who do plastic and
reconstructive surgery find leeches useful when regrafting
amputated appendages. Leeches improve blood flow to help reattach
tissues by sucking the blood till the vein reconnects. Recent
research also supports leech use in relieving pain in patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee, as well as in treating purpura
fulminans, periorbital hematoma, sublingual hematoma, systemic
lupus erythematosus, and ear infection.
What you should know about leechThe leech is a freshwater
amphibious worm, usually black or brown and about 10 cm in length.
Of the more than 650 known species, Hirudo medicinalis (location :
Europe), Hirudinaria manillensis (location : Asia) and Haementeria
ghilianii (location : Amazon) are mostly used in medical therapy.
Leech is a blood-sucking worm. The adult leech is a hermaphrodite,
meaning it has both male and female sex organs. Leeches reproduces
by cross-fertilized eggs, it grows to the length of less than an
inch (2.5cm) to 12inces (30cm) or more. Most leeches feed mainly on
blood, but others eat worms, insect larvae, and other small forms
of animal life. Medicinal leech is cross barred with brown and
black and grows to eight inches (20cm) in length. The medicinal
leech has a sucker at each end of the underside of its body. The
sucker at one end contains the animal's mouth. The other sucker
acts as a suction cup when the leech attaches itself to its victim.
Once attached, the leech slashes its victim's skin with its sharp
teeth and sucks the blood. The leech injects into the wound a
substance that keep blood from clotting. A leech can ingest up to
five times its weight in blood and then live up to 6 months without
food. The mouth of the leech has three jaws, each of which has
about 100 tiny teeth. It also has a posterior suction device for
its stability.Formatted: Font: Italic
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The first medicinal leeches were obtained from streams and
rivers, but today they're purchased from companies that function as
leech farms. Facilities that don't have established protocols can
follow the recommendations of these leech farms. It's advised that
leeches be stored at a cool temperature (42 to 45F [5 to 7C] and no
higher than 68F [20C]) in "leech mobile homes" containing distilled
water treated with a special salt; some recommend changing the
solution every other day.
What you should know about leech therapy1. Medicinal leeches
will be used just once and then destroyed.
2. Medicinal leech therapy is painless because the leech makes
its own numbing substance. This numbing substance is a natural way
to keep you comfortable. 3. Leech therapy can be applied to flaps,
replanted fingers, ears, or traumatic injuries from rings that tear
away skin and tissue.
4. The doctor decides where the leech is to be placed. Often
this is an area that is bluish or bruised in color. Blood has
pooled there because your body has not yet made small veins to
carry the blood away.
5. Leech therapy can be applied for three to seven days until
your body has made these veins.
6. The purposes of leech therapy are : - Improve venous
circulation when a new microvascular flap is at risk of failing due
to venous congestion. - Produce an adequate venous outflow from the
tissue by adjusting the number of leech applications.
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How to apply leech therapy - examinationLeech therapy is
experiencing a resurgence in health care today, primarily in
plastic and reconstructive surgery as a treatment for venous
congestion, which can threaten surgical outcomes. Most nurses have
had no formal training in administering the therapy or in
maintaining the medical leech. Yet nurses may be expected to
participate in this therapy in a variety of clinical settings and
can use these guidelines for the safe and effective use of the
leech in treatment. Before leech therapy begins, a thorough
assessment should be performed. - The nurse should be able to
differentiate between arterial insufficiency and venous congestion.
In arterial insufficiency, the tissue is pale, turgid, and cool to
the touch; capillary refill is either slow (longer than two
seconds) or absent. The tissue in venous congestion will have a
purple appearance and be engorged, taut, and warm to the touch.
Capillary refill will be brisk and instantaneous (less than one
second). Although eech therapy may alleviate venous congestion,
it's contraindicated in the presence of arterial insufficiency. -
The nurse should also ask the patient whether she or he is taking
vitamins, herbal supplements, or drugs; some may increase the risk
of excessive bleeding or reduced immune response. For example,
large doses of vitamin E can prolong prothrombin time, cause
coagulopathy, and suppress immunity. Herbal supplements such as
dong quai, garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, and ginseng and
medications such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin, and nonsteroidal
antiinflammatory drugs may increase the risk of hemorrhage.
Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, some sodas, and chocolate) must be
eliminated in order to decrease the risk of vasoconstriction.
Smoking (and even exposure to secondhand smoke) is absolutely
contraindicated because the carbon monoxide and nicotine in tobacco
are potent vasoconstrictors. - Contraindications. Leech therapy
should not be used in patients who are immunocompromised, those
with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, and those with
preexisting arterial insufficiency; all of these conditions pose an
extreme risk of infection or excessive blood loss. A patient's
refusal to accept blood transfusions is another contraindication,
as is unstable medical status. And of course, patients who refuse
leech therapy should not receive it. - Patient education. Few
patients are willing to have contact with leeches without
understanding the benefits of treatment. This obstacle is usually
overcome with education.
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How to apply leech therapy - preparation
Preparing the leech. These are few things to notice in preparing
the leech : * the number of leeches to be applied * the specific
placement of the leech or leeches * the frequency of the therapy In
addition, orders often include antithrombotics such as aspirin,
heparin, or low-molecular-weight dextran (dextran 40; Rheomacrodex
and others) to decrease the risk of venous thrombosis. The
physician may also prescribe chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for its
specific vasodilating effect on small blood vessels.
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How to apply leech therapy - attachment and encouraging
attachmentAttaching the leech - Before attaching the leech, wash
the area with soap and water and rinse it with distilled,
nonchlorinated water. - Wearing gloves, gently grasp one leech.
Using forceps may hurt the leech. It's helpful to have a small, dry
gauze pad in the nondominant hand because the leech may attach
itself to a wet glove and can be difficult to remove because it is
wet; dry gauze allows you to gently grip the leech and pull it off
the glove and direct the head toward the therapy site. Encouraging
the attachment There are several ways to encourage leech
attachment. - First, use a syringe to direct the leech to the site.
Remove the plunger from a 5- or 10-mL syringe, place the leech in
the barrel, and invert the barrel, holding the open end in place
until the leech attaches. The head, the smallest part of the leech,
should attach first. Gently withdraw the syringe, allowing the
other end of the leech to come free and attach. Leeches usually
attach with both ends placed closely together in a U shape. If the
leech resists attaching, encourage it by placing a drop of glucose
or sucrose at the desired site. Leeches are attracted to the sweet
taste. - Or second way, gently prick the patient's skin with a
sterile needle at the desired site so that a drop of fresh blood
appears. Note : - Leeches can move from the desired treatment site
to another, an action often called "leech migration". One of the
simplest ways to prevent migration is to wrap the treatment area
with gauze and leave only the desired attachment site
exposed-creating a sort of "leech corral." A clear, occlusive
dressing (such as those used to cover IV insertion sites) can also
be used to cover the area, with a small hole cut in the center that
is large enough to allow the leech to attach. - A plastic cup is
another solution. The cup can be used in two ways; in both a hole
large enough for the leech to have access to the site of attachment
is cut into the base of a clear plastic cup. For digits
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venous congestion, a slit is cut up the side of the cup and it
is placed around the gauze-wrapped digit. For flaps, the cup is
placed over the desired site and covered with transparent stretch
film secured with strips of tape. The leeches will attach to the
flap through the hole.
Monitoring Leech TherapyMonitor the site at least every 15
minutes to check for detachment and ensure that the leech hasn't
migrated. If the latter does occur, don't forcibly remove the
leech. Force could cause the teeth to be left in the patient,
becoming a source of infection. Instead, put a small amount of
alcohol, saline, or vinegar on a pad or a cotton swab and stroke
the head of the leech. This will usually cause spontaneous
detachment. Be careful to use only minimal amounts of these
liquids, however, because they're noxious to the leech, and large
amounts may cause it to regurgitate into the bite site, increasing
the risk of infection.
During leech therapy, it's common to measure and record skin
temperatures every three hours, with the goal of keeping the
temperature of the area at or above 86F (30C). A reduction in
temperature below 86F may indicate problems with either arterial or
venous circulation and should be reported immediately to the
physician. Keeping the room temperature slightly warm and the
surrounding area wrapped lightly in gauze and a light blanket can
also help in maintaining the desired therapeutic temperature. These
coverings should not be tight enough to restrict circulation and
are usually removed only during assessment or while measuring
temperatures or changing dressings.
The nurse should perform a detailed evaluation of the site at
least every four hours, assessing the appearance of the patient's
skin for signs or symptoms of infection and checking nearby pulses.
Baseline laboratory values should also be checked, including a
complete blood count, partial thromboplastin time, and prothrombin
time. The physician should be notified of abnormal values such as a
drop in the hemoglobin level or hematocrit, increased bleeding
times, or changes consistent with infection or risk of
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The Leech Detachment and DisposalThe leech detach
Satiated leeches usually detach spontaneously between 20 to 120
minutes. Generally, a single leech will extract 5 to 15 mL of blood
during each attachment. The greater benefit of leech therapy is the
blood loss after the detachment, because of the slow oozing at the
site of the bite.
Leech disposal
After use, the leech should be destroyed by placing it in 70%
alcohol solution. Many nurses use a small plastic cup with a
screw-on lid, such as a urine specimen container, with 20 mL of
alcohol. The leech dies within 10 minutes and is then treated as
biohazardous waste, disposed of in an appropriate waste receptacle.
Because of the risk of blood-borne infection, the leech should
never be reused on another person. It is also not to be reused on
the same patient, for after feeding, leeches usually don't want to
feed again for several weeks.
Note : During therapy, remember to document the estimated blood
loss; the appearance of the site before and after leech
application; the time, location, and duration of each leech
application; any significant hematologic laboratory results;
patient education and the patient's response to therapy; and the
presence of signs or symptoms of infection.
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Leech Therapy Frequency
You may keep asking this question : For how long leech therapy
is needed? Well, no specific period is decided for a complete
healing. However, this may be the best answer for your smart
question :) Leech therapy is commonly required for three to seven
days, or until angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) occurs.
Success will be evidenced by changes in the tissue-it will change
from a purplish hue to a more normal skin color, from engorged to
nonengorged, and from a very fast capillary refill (less than one
second) to a more normal one (one to two seconds). Once
angiogenesis is established, the tissue will have sufficient venous
drainage and no longer require therapy. As long as venous
congestion persists between leech applications, therapy should
continue.
Complications and InfectionsCOMPLICATIONS Excessive bleeding can
occur with leech therapy; it can be controlled by applying direct
pressure or topical thrombin. Excessive blood loss may necessitate
blood transfusion, so patients should be informed of the
possibility. Allergic responses, including anaphylaxis, can also
occur. Patients and their families should be alerted to watch for
and report allergy symptoms. Scarring may also occur but is usually
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Infection - The most serious complication of leech therapy is
infection. The leech's digestive system contains Aeromonas
hydrophila, a Gram-negative bacillus that enables the breakdown of
ingested blood. Although most infections involving leech therapy
are caused by A. hydrophila, infections with Serratia marcescens,
A. sobria, and Vibrio fluvialis have also been reported. Infections
can arise from two to 11 days after therapy begins and can result
in abscesses and cellulitis, which can progress in some cases to
sepsis. A study found that infections arose in 4.1% of patients who
received leech therapy. Prophylactic antibiotics are usually given:
double coverage (two antibiotics) during therapy and single
coverage (one antibiotic) for two weeks afterward. Established
infection is treated with antibiotics such as third-generation
cephalosporins, along with aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones,
tetracycline, or trimethoprim. Because infection is a serious
adverse effect of leech therapy, the patient and family should also
be instructed to observe for and report early signs and
symptoms.
Leech Therapy for Baldness
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Baldness or alopecia is a very common condition where an
individual loses hair. Hair loss can occur in various parts of the
body, but the most common area is the scalp. Men are generally
affected more but women can also suffer from this condition, often
causing embarrassment.
What are the Causes of Alopecia?Individuals who have parents
suffering from this condition will likely develop alopecia in the
future. It has also been suggested that autoimmune diseases can
cause alopecia, where hair follicles are being attacked by the
body, causing suppression of growth. The body sends signals for
T-cell lymphocytes to attach themselves to hair follicles, causing
inflammation on the site and thereby suppressing hair growth.
Another very common cause of alopecia is a fungal infection of the
scalp or dandruff, resulting in weakened hair follicles and
subsequent hair loss. It has also been found that stress can cause
some people to develop hair loss or alopecia.
Leech Therapy for Diabetes
In the above situation, glucose remains in the blood causing it
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in the body. Transporting blood from one organ to another
requires more effort, resulting in the vessel walls thickening and
becoming less flexible. The heart also becomes overworked with the
effort required to pump blood around the body and of course,
thickened blood struggles to pass through capillaries, let alone
the smaller blood vessels. This alone compromises the blood supply
to distal organs, let alone the fact that viscous blood can
predispose a patient to develop blood clots, which can travel to
major organs like the brain, heart and lungs causing a stroke,
heart attack or lung embolism.
Leech Therapy: An Ancient ScienceLeech Therapy, also known as
Hirudotherapy, is the treatment using medical leeches to assist
various diseases. It is a therapy known since ancient times and
remains very much in use today. Hirudo Medicinalis is a species of
leech used for medical applications, which are able to consume up
to 15 ml of blood, therefore, therapists can use up to 12 leeches
simultaneously or more, depending on the type of disease treated.
When leeches bite, they inject their saliva into the wound. Their
saliva contains enzymes, different chemicals and substances that
bring about diverse therapeutic benefits for the patient.
Therapeutic Benefits for DiabeticsOne of the most important
substances recognised in leech salivary glands is Hirudin, a
substance that suppresses the blood clotting mechanism. If you
remember, it was mentioned earlier that Diabetes patients have
viscous [thick] blood, which creates a higher risk of developing
blood clots. Development and dislodgment of clots into the general
circulation poses serious threats to anyone and can cause instant
death, so the suppression of blood clotting is essential. Hirudin
also has a blood diluting effect, so apart from preventing blood
clots; it also thins the blood, allowing the blood to circulate
more easily, relieving pressure on the heart and blood vessels.
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What are the Signs and Symptoms of Alopecia?The most obvious
first symptom of alopecia is the appearance of thinning patches on
the scalp or other areas of the body where hairs tend to grow,
which can often be accompanied by a painful tingling sensation.
Another sign of alopecia is what's commonly known as
"exclamation-point characteristics" of hair strands; in other
words, hair strands that are distinctly narrower the closer they
are to the base.
How can Leech Therapy Help People With Alopecia?Leech therapy is
known to increase blood circulation, therefore when therapy is
applied to thinning or bald areas, the increase of blood
circulation helps enhance the concentration and delivery of
nutrients that assist in making hair follicles strong, thereby
assisting in the promotion of hair growth. People suffering
alopecia caused by fungal infections or dandruff can also benefit
through the antibacterial component in the leeches saliva, which
helps combat fungal infections.
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Leech Therapy for Eye DiseasesPreventing Eye Inflammation
Another area where leech therapy can be beneficial is eye
inflammation. Chorioretinitis (an inflammation of the choroid and
retina of the eye), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva
of one or both eyes), Keratitis (a condition in which the eye's
cornea, the front part of the eye, becomes inflamed) and scleritis
(a serious inflammatory disease that affects the white outer
coating of the eye, known as the sclera) are just some of eye
inflammation disorders. Eye inflammations are inclined to have
blood and other blood components pool in the affected area. This is
the body's natural response, where it is attempting to fix whatever
is wrong or damage in that area. Unfortunately, the pooling of too
much blood causes significant change in the pressure inside the eye
and this pressure causes compression and damage to other parts.
During Leech Therapy, blood is sucked out, thereby reducing
inflammation. This leads to a reduction in pressure and lessens
post-in flammatory complications.
Prevent Progress of Glaucoma Glaucoma is a condition that occurs
when there is too much production of vitreous humor or when there
is a very slow reabsorption of vitreous humor. Vitreous humor is a
transparent, jelly-like substance that gives nourishment to the
eyes. Too much of it however, can be problematic, where the
intra-ocular pressure can increase, causing compression of the eye
structures. This causes gradual blurring of vision and slow but
certain loss of sight. Those at risk of developing glaucoma include
diabetics, people over the age of 40, and people with a family
history of the disease. If detected and treated in its early
stages, glaucoma can be controlled and vision can be saved. Leech
Therapy can assist in the progression of this disease.
The use of leeches to lessen the rate of blood flow to the eye
lessens the production of vitreous humor and thus lessens the
pressure inside the eye. Leech therapy can therefore help patients
with glaucoma if this procedure is done in regular and frequent
intervals and in conjunction with medicines that Ophthalmologists
[medical eye specialists] prescribe to lessen the production of
vitreous humor and lower the overall blood pressure in the
area.
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Leech Therapy for Periorbital Hematoma One of the major features
of leech therapy is the ability of leeches to extract pooled blood.
It also has an anti-edematous effect, which is especially helpful
as a conservative measure to evacuate pooled blood as in the case
of a periorbital hematoma. Periorbital hematoma is hematoma around
the eyes, a sac of blood that the body creates to keep internal
bleeding to a minimum. In most cases the sac of blood eventually
dissolves; however, in some cases they may continue to grow or show
no change. If the sac of blood does not disappear, then it may need
to be surgically removed. It usually occurs after a large amount of
pressure or force has been applied to the area and something that
is definitely common among boxers. This is shown by a bluish green
discoloration around the eyes, more popularly known as the black
eye. Disappearance of pooled blood in this area is particularly
slow and can take from several days to a few weeks. Not only is it
unsightly, but can cause light-headedness and headaches. Leech
Therapy can be used to immediately evacuate the pooled blood around
the eyes so the bluish-green discoloration can disappear after a
mere couple of days.
Leech Therapy for Gum DiseasesGum diseases are one of the most
common problems suffered by all ages, especially if strict dental
hygiene is not followed.
Factors Affecting Gum DiseasesFormatted: Normal
One of the main factors that can increase the development of gum
disease is bacterial growth. As stated above, poor dental hygiene
leads to a buildup of plaque and tartar, promoting bacterial growth
causing tooth decay, bad breath, infection of the gums etc. People
who have a low immune system are also at greater risk of developing
gum diseases because the body is susceptible to infections.Illness
can also increase the risk of developing gum disease. Diabetes, for
instance can worsen the condition of preexisting gum disease due to
uncontrollable blood sugar levels and increased viscosity of the
circulating blood, which hinders healing, so necessary agents (like
nutrients) for the healing process to properly take place are not
delivered to the infected and inflamed site.Other factors that can
lead to gum diseases are stresses and hormonal imbalances as well
as medications that an individual takes.
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Signs and Symptoms of Gum DiseasesThe most common indicator of
gum diseases is gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. Someone who
has gingivitis will usually notice swelling in the gums, a bad
taste in the mouth, bad breath and some bleeding of the gums.
Further damage to the tissue is brought about by the bacterias
production of enzymes and toxins, exposing the roots of the teeth
or creating new cavities.
Medical Treatment of Gum DiseasesThe most common treatment for
gum disease is antibiotics, which treat the infection caused by the
bacteria. Anti-inflammatory medications are also prescribed to
decrease inflammation and swelling. The next course of action is
scaling and the removal of plaque.
Leech Therapy for Gum DiseasesLeeches are known to produce many
beneficial enzymes and have been used for many years to effectively
treat gum disease and promote healing. Anticoagulation agents
increase blood flow in the gums, helping to flush away toxins and
allow delivery of nutrients to the affected area. These
anticoagulation agents also work wonders in dissolving blood clots
that can form in the gums. Other beneficial components are
anti-inflammatory agents, which decrease swelling and inflammation
of the gums. The saliva of the leech also contains antibacterial
components that assist in reducing bacterial growth.
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Leech Therapy for Hearing Problems Leech Therapy for High Blood
PressureThe age bracket of individuals suffering from high blood
pressure or hypertension is decreasing, which is quite alarming
because it implies there are an increased number of younger people
more at risk from suffering high blood pressure-related problems.
Taking into account todays lifestyles, it isnt surprising that an
increasing number of younger individuals are suffering from
hypertension. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a
condition where an individual has an elevated blood pressure that
exceeds the normal value of 120/80 mmHg.
Understanding High Blood PressureThere are two kinds of
hypertension primary or essential hypertension and secondary
hypertension. Primary or essential hypertension means that the
cause of the increased blood pressure is unknown, although family
history can play a major role. If one or both parents suffer from
high blood pressure, then you are at an increased risk of having
elevated blood pressure. Secondary hypertension is a condition
where there is a known cause for the elevation in an individuals
blood pressure. In understanding high blood pressure, its important
to be familiar with systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic
pressure is the pressure that arteries generate when the muscles of
the heart contract to pump blood to the arteries. Diastolic
pressure on the other hand, is the pressure generated in the
arteries as the muscles of the heart relaxes, which is why the
diastolic pressure is lower than systolic pressure.
Causes of High Blood PressureThere are many factors that cause
high blood pressure. The most common is the lifestyle of an
individual. Someone who eats too many fatty and salty foods, smokes
a lot and/or consumes excess alcohol is at high risk of elevated
blood pressure. People who are obese and have an inactive lifestyle
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developing hypertension. Stress, old age and family history are
also contributing factors of hypertension. Diseases such as chronic
kidney diseases and disorders of the thyroid and adrenal glands can
also cause hypertension.
Leech Therapy for Hypertensive PatientsIts known through various
studies that the saliva of leeches contains many beneficial enzymes
that can help lower blood pressure. Anticoagulation enzymes found
in leechs saliva reduce coagulation tendencies of the blood, thus,
promoting good blood flow to the body, as well as another enzyme
that dissolves blood clots, so not only does it break up the blood
clots, but it also prevents clots from traveling to other parts of
the body, causing a noticeable reduction in both the systolic and
diastolic pressures.
These enzymes prevent blood from becoming thick, thereby
promoting better blood circulation not only in the heart but to
other parts of the body and can be used with current
antihypertensive medications.
Leech Therapy for HepatitisThe liver is a very important organ,
not only does it function to filter toxins from our body, but it
also produces important enzymes, acts as a storage area for
vitamins and nutrients and helps maintain balance.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis?Signs and symptoms
of hepatitis vary, depending upon the cause of liver inflammation.
Some people experience flu-like symptoms, vomiting, nauseous or
loss of appetite and diarrhea. General body weakness can be felt,
as well as muscle aches or tenderness on the right side of the body
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long-term hepatitis can have a distinct yellowing of the skin
and eyes; in fact, there are many signs and symptoms, depending
upon the kind of hepatitis.
What are Causes of Hepatitis?There are many things that can
cause hepatitis, but viruses are the most common. Viruses can be
transmitted when an individual ingests contaminated food or water,
undergoes an exchange of blood or when individuals have unprotected
sex with an infected partner. Drug addicts who share needles with
other addicts are also susceptible to hepatitis. Aside from viruses
that can cause hepatitis, alcoholics can also develop alcoholic
hepatitis, where the liver becomes inflamed due to the excessive
amount of consumed alcohol. Alcoholic hepatitis can lead to
cirrhosis of the liver caused by long-term alcohol consumption.
There are also a number of medications and drugs that can damage
the liver when used over a long period of time, for example some
antihypertensive drugs, antibiotics and antidepressants can cause
some inflammation to the liver. Leech therapy has been used in the
treatment of many illnesses for thousands of years. A healthy blood
supply is needed to fight off infection and inflammation in the
liver and beneficial enzymes found in the saliva of leeches include
anti-inflammatory enzymes which help reduce swelling as well as
histamine-like enzymes that act to vasodilate the blood vessels,
further enhancing blood flow. There are also antibacterial
components in leech saliva that help fight disease.
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Leech Therapy for Kidney DiseaseKidney diseases refer to a
disease or injury to the kidneys that may arise from congenital or
acquired causes. Aside from the fact that there are individuals
born with congenital kidney diseases, the major contributing
factors of kidney diseases are diabetes and hypertension. In
hypertension, the kidneys become damaged over time as its blood
vessels deteriorate due to elevated arterial pressures. If blood
vessels of the kidneys are damaged, then its function to filter
waste materials is also affected, in which case leaking of toxins
and extra fluids occur. Diabetes also affects the ability of the
kidneys to filter toxins and waste materials because blood sugar
levels that are highly elevated put an increased demand on the
kidneys to filter an increased amount of blood. In the long run,
this extra work damages the kidney's ability to filter.
Leech Therapy and Kidney DiseasesIt has been found that leech
therapy can significantly help individuals to have healthier
kidneys. Since kidneys can be damaged by the effects of diabetes,
one of which is an increase in the viscosity of the blood, the
enzymes found in leech's saliva (particularly the anticoagulation
enzymes) can help prevent coagulation of the blood or thickening of
the blood consistency.
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Another important enzyme that reduces the stress on the
filtering function of the kidneys is the enzymes that help dissolve
blood clots. To promote good blood flow or circulation, blood
vessels are dilated by the histamine-like enzymes.
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properly filter toxins and waste materials from the body. If
there is any inflammation of the kidneys that impedes its filtering
action, leech therapy can prove to be beneficial through the
anti-inflammatory compounds in the leech's saliva. Other benefits
of leech therapy include the antibacterial effect that
Leech Therapy for Kidney DiseaseThere is a theory that suggests
migraines are caused by tiny blood clots that are formed in the
heart, which then travel to the brain and these blood clots disrupt
the flow of blood to the brain and thus cause the typical symptoms
of migraine like the one-sided head-ache, photophobia, and nausea.
As you may already know, there is a substance found in leeches
called Hirudin. This substance is an anticoagulant, causing blood
to become more diluted, thus allowing it to flow easier and faster.
Hirudin can dissolve those little clots that have formed by
converting fibrinogen to fibrin. It is also known that leeches can
increase the circulation in the body, even on the head, because it
sucks just enough blood to get the blood stream flowing. Leeches
can also cause vasodilation, meaning the vessels are widened, thus
lowering the pressure on the walls of these vessels, improving
blood flow. Good blood circulation is vital! In a painful area, it
is absolutely necessary, especially in places like the brain and
using leeches instead of medications for migraines is healthier.
For one thing, medications can have serious side effects unlike
leeches which, if handled properly, are relatively safe and have no
prolonged adverse effects. Drugs, especially strong pain relievers
like narcotics, can be addictive, so theyre not advisable if
possible. Frequent use of certain drugs may also cause dependence
and an increase in tolerance, meaning the next time youre in pain,
you may need a higher dose and as you may be aware, higher dosages
of drugs can be toxic for your body. Another substance in leech
saliva that is known to help relive migraines is a natural
anesthetic that is released after attaching itself and can greatly
relieve discomfort. If youd rather have a leech on your head rather
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Leech Therapy for OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis causes pain and
disability to the patients. Leech saliva contains anti-inflammatory
substances, therefore leech therapy is a promising therapy for
osteoarthritis. A trial has compared leech therapy with 28 days of
topical diclofenac treatment. In the leech therapy trial, 4 to 6
leeches were attached to the affected knee. The result showed that
patients with leech therapy had less pain through day 7 than those
receiving diclofenac. The leech therapy group showed benefits in
function, stiffness, and total arthritis symptoms through the 91
days of follow-up.
Leech Therapy and ArthritisOur joints need synovial fluid to
move freely and pain-free. The articular surfaces of bones making
up a joint are lined with lubricating membranes. Small membrane
sacs, or bursae, occur in the space between the bones of most
joints. These membranes lining joints are known as synovial
membranes because they secrete synovial lubricating fluid. People
suffering arthritis have less synovial fluid, causing pain on
movement. The edges of the bones as well as the cartilages also
deteriorate, adding more tenderness to the already painful joint.
This causes inflammation due to tissue damage and prolonged,
untreated arthritis can lead to deformities.
How Can Leeches Help With Arthritis?The leeches' saliva assists
in the treatment of arthritis. There are many substances and
compounds in their saliva that reduces inflammation in a joint,
some of which are the compounds that are called bdelins and eglins,
acting as an anti-inflammatory. Aside from anti-inflammatory
components, their saliva also has an anesthetic component that
deadens the pain felt in the joint and also has a histamine-like
substance that acts as a vasodilator. Acetylcholine, another
component of the leech's saliva is also a vasodilator. This is
important in the treatment of arthritis because when the vessels
dilate [expand], it increases the flow of blood, thus, washing away
the compounds that cause pain and inflammation.
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Frequency of Leech Therapy for ArthritisAll cases are
individual, but on average, medicinal leech therapy is usually
performed three times a week for approximately six weeks.
Improvement in joint pain and inflammation will be noticed within
the first few sessions. Not only is it a safe way to treat
arthritis, but it has also been one of the cures for this disease
for many years.
Leech Therapy for Skin DiseasesThe skin is the body's primary
line of defense against infection. There are three common layers to
the skin - Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis, composed of skin
cells, capillaries, sweat glands, and hair follicles. Common skin
diseases often occur in the two uppermost layers, the epidermis and
the dermis. Uncomplicated skin diseases are easily cured because
the skin generally sheds after a couple of days, but more
complicated skin diseases are rooted at the hypodermis level and
these are more difficult to cure. Some skin diseases are rendered
incurable and only subject to remission and exacerbation; that is,
they remain idle on occasions and flare up from time to time.
Hirudotherapy to Treat ShinglesShingles [Herpes Zoster] is a
viral skin disease in adults and occurs due to reactivation in
adulthood of dormant viral matter leftover from a bout of
chickenpox in childhood. Although lifelong immunity to chickenpox
is commonly spoken about, the viruses that cause it may lie dormant
for years in sensory nerve cells, reactivating themselves and
causing an attack of shingles at times when the immune system is
weak, resulting in inflammation, pain, and a rash of small skin
blisters. The skin manifestation of herpes zoster is not serious,
but the pain caused by the inflammation of the underlying nerve can
be severe, lasting for weeks. Treatment for Shingles is designed
merely to limit the severity and duration of pain because there are
usually post infection complications like neuralgia [chronic severe
pain around a nerve path]. Leeches saliva contains a substance that
has analgesic [pain killing] effects. Pain relief is known to be
more powerful and longer lasting than general pain relieving
tablets.
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Hirudotherapy to Treat BoilsBoils are infections deep in the
skin. A boil begins as a red area and gradually becomes tender and
firm. An 'eye' forms at the center and contains yellow fluid called
pus, which is composed of white blood cells, dead bacteria and
proteins. During leech therapy, leeches are placed directly over
the eye of the boil, so they can feed directly on the pus and at
the same time, other leeches will be placed around the area to rid
the body of pooled blood. This is important, because pooled blood
causes pressure, leading to tenderness and will relieve the patient
of pain.
Hirudotherapy for PsoriasisThere are many skin diseases that can
be treated with Hirudotherapy and one disease worth mentioning is
Psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that occurs when
the skin cells replace themselves too quickly. There are many
different types, but the most common is chronic plaque psoriasis.
Why psoriasis occurs is unknown, which makes it quite impossible to
prevent. However, many things are thought to trigger the condition,
including skin injury, sore throats/chest infections, some drug
treatments, sunburn and even stress. As hopeless as it all may
sound, ancient doctors have been using Hirudotherapy to improve the
outcome of skin diseases like psoriasis. Not only are leeches
useful for sucking pooled blood, their saliva also contains active
substances that are bactericidal [fights off bacteria that
proliferates over thick layers of excess skin cells]. Other
substances in the leechs saliva also cause gradual slowing of skin
cell production, giving noticeable relief for patients.
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