Recently, treatment with leeches (hirudotherapy) has gained particular popularity. However, such therapy is not entirely harmless and has a number of contraindications.
What is the peculiarity of the procedure?
Experts have proven that the enzymes contained in the saliva of leeches have unique healing properties. They are used to combat many diseases. Leech treatment is used for endometriosis, infertility, habitual miscarriage, inflammatory processes in women, preparation for IVF. Hirudotherapy is effective for urological diseases in men: impaired potency, male infertility. Good results are shown by treatment of prostatitis with leeches. Hirudotherapy is indicated for people with heart disease (CHD), hypertension, patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke (after at least 6 months), suffering from varicose veins, intervertebral hernia, atherosclerosis, osteochondrosis, migraine, and diabetes mellitus.
Before deciding to conduct therapy, it is necessary to consult with specialists, undergo an ultrasound scan, and take tests. Next, the doctor, after making a diagnosis, and also taking into account information about concomitant diseases, will determine the treatment tactics. The number of sessions should ideally be 8-10 (a couple of times a week for half an hour). For preventive purposes, treatment with leeches is carried out once a year, and patients with chronic diseases should undergo therapy twice a year. The procedure is almost painless and is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations. True, at the time of attaching the leech, the patient feels a slight tingling sensation.
Leech treatment, contraindications
It should be noted that improper procedure can lead to serious consequences and adverse outcome.
Leeches can not be placed near blood vessels, as this is fraught with the occurrence of bleeding. The bite zone can become infected, and there is also a high risk of developing an allergic reaction. Leech treatment has some contraindications, the main of which are hemophilia, bleeding of unknown etiology, reduced immunity, cancer, pregnancy, individual intolerance, anemia. Hirudotherapy is contraindicated in children under 5 years of age.
There is an opinion that it is undesirable to conduct such procedures in the summer, but it is erroneous. Most likely, on the contrary, in warm time, leeches increase enzyme activity, which contributes to a more effective elimination of foci of inflammatory disease. Leech treatment improves blood circulation, normalizes blood pressure for hypertension, and boosts immunity. Enzymes, of which more than 100, produce an antibacterial effect, contribute to the cure of any form of inflammatory processes.
Hirudotherapy is considered an alternative treatment method, it is used in cases where previously used methods of therapy have been ineffective. This treatment can be combined with other medicines, but before that you should consult with the doctor who prescribed them. So you reduce the risk of negative consequences.