What is the leech?
Leech therapy is used for thousands of years to treat everything from infections to stomach disease. In modern times, it is commonly used in various forms of surgery, especially if increased blood flow and reduced blood clotting are required. Leech's therapy is relatively simple, but is best done by a qualified doctor because complications are possible. For people who are not willing to use live leeches, mechanical or synthetic leeches are available.
The most common type of leech used for leech therapy is hirundo medicinalis . It has three sets of jaws and approximately 100 teeth. Most people say that even with the abundance of teeth, the bite of the leech will not hurt, because its saliva anesthesis area where the leech is connected. When connected, the leech can suck anywhere from 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 ml) of blood from the body. There are other types of leeches that can be used, such as macrobdella decora , but usually holds less blood.
For the therapy of the leech existsCountless modern medical uses. For example, the leeches are commonly used for plastic surgery and reconstruction surgery. They are particularly useful in repeating small veins, because the leeches prevent blood from precipitation. They were used for ear infections such as tinnitus and heart attack, to increase heart circulation. Some people even claim that the treatment of leeches is useful in reducing pain in people whose knees are influenced by osteoarthritis.
For a qualified person, it is relatively easy to perform the therapy of leeches. First, the body area is cleaned where the leeches are connected. Then the head of the leech is directed to the area where it must be connected. This can be done by holding the leech with gauze and manually directing the leech, otherwise the leech can be placed in a barrel syringe and directed to the area of increased accuracy.
As soon as it connects, the leeches are fed until it is full.This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. When it reaches its limit, the leech simply falls off the body. The practitioner must follow the leeches to make sure it does not move to other areas of the body. The area surrounding the leeches will often be covered with gauze or plastic to prevent such movements.
If the leech is removed from the body during the therapy, it can be done with a fine shock of the head with a small amount of vinegar, salt or alcohol. If the leech refuses to connect, sugar water can be applied to the area. Some patients may have a small amount of blood removal to connect the leech into the connection.
Although complications are relatively unusual, there are. For example, an infection is possible. Moreover, some people should not participate in leeches therapy. These people include people with a weak immune system of clotting such as haemophilia.