The first written mention of the treatment with leechesis connected with the name of the famous Imhotep. The flourishing of hirudotherapy began in the 18th century, when Russia exported medicinal leeches along with grains. Contraindications in those days were not discussed. It was just fashionable. And then another boom.
Meet - Hirudo medicinalis
Medical leech - annel worm (length up to 12 cm.). The dorsal surface is greenish with black dots and orange strips. Has 3 movable chitinous jaws, 5 pairs of eyes.
The natural habitat of a medical leech -fresh water reservoirs of Europe and Asia. The food for her is the blood of large mammals, who went into the water. Due to the presence of hirudin in her saliva, which prevents normal blood coagulation, after the leeches blood sores bleed for a long time.
On our planet there are about 400 species of leeches, but only the medical and some of its subtypes (pharmacies and medicines) are used for medicinal purposes.
Indications for the use of hirudotherapy can bevarious diseases: infertility, arthritis, digestive problems, circulatory disorders, varicose veins and many others. Achieving the therapeutic effect is due to the activation of the protective mechanisms of the body. With proper use of hirudotherapy, no side effects were observed.
It turns out that you can put leeches to everyone?
Contraindications for hirudotherapy are the sameas extensive as the testimony. And they flow from the biological peculiarities of leech medical. On each of the three jaws there are from 70 to 100 chitinous denticles. The ducts of the salivary glands located between them secrete a secret that prevents blood clotting.
In diseases associated with a violationblood coagulation - angiogemophilia, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhagic diathesis and coagulopathy, it is strictly forbidden to use such a remedy as leeches.
Contraindications to hirudotherapy:
It is extremely cautious to use during pregnancy,diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis. With parasitic infestations, leeches are put with caution. Contraindications to hirudotherapy - is not only a disease, but also physiological conditions, especially the female body. After the birth of a child, with menstruation or shortly before it, leeches can increase bleeding. After cesarean section hirudotherapy is contraindicated for 4 months.
A list of contraindications can be extended extremelynegative attitude of the patient to leeches. And also it is not recommended to use them in case there is a possibility of cosmetic defects from their application. In this case, it is better to apply a cream with leeches (based on piyavit). The modern market of medical cosmetics counts dozens of similar preparations for different parts of the body, from the face to the legs.
Severity of contraindications obliges doctors andpatients with appropriate attention to hirudotherapy. Treatment with leeches should be started only after a complete laboratory examination and consultation with the treating doctor.
