Leech treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is one of the oldest methods of therapy, which has not lost its relevance and shows high efficiency in the symptomatic treatment of the disease. The use of hirudotherapy reduces the symptoms of varicose veins, but cannot eliminate the cause of the pathology.
Method controversy
Few doctors support the use of leech treatment for varicose veins. Reviews of part of the aesculapius indicate the riskiness of this type of therapy. Despite the large number of offers from various clinics, especially private ones, no one seeks to voice information about the dangers of hirudotherapy. Doctors warn that the reaction of each person is purely individual, no one can determine if the patient is allergic to leeches and hirudin.
Even if the patient has never experienced any allergic reaction, this does not mean that it cannot be on a leech. A consequence of undue risk can be a significant deterioration, and in some cases loss of limb.
Patient arguments
Fans of prophylactic methods believe that most people with vascular pathologies need treatment for varicose leeches. In their reviews, patients who underwent hirudotherapy sessions tell that they decided to undergo a course of treatment, relying on the historical relevance of this procedure.
They considered that the therapy, which was successfully applied in the 19th and early 20th centuries, could not do harm. As another argument, consideration is given to the naturalness of the means used.
The benefits of leeches
Therapy is carried out through a worm that lives in freshwater. The leech is attached to an open wound and feeds on the blood of animals or humans, in one session it is able to consume up to 15 ml of blood. The therapeutic effect is achieved by the fact that the invertebrate, sucking blood, injects saliva into the wound - hirudin. The secret of a leech has an anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory property, for this reason, at the end of the session, blood coagulation drops sharply, it can leak from the wound up to 24 hours.
It is proved that treatment with varicose leeches saturates the blood with useful substances, oxygen, and improves blood flow. It is also noted that hirudin prevents the deformation of blood vessels, the formation of blood clots, strengthens the walls of blood vessels. The positive effect is limited in time, many believe that the vascular tone after such treatment disappears after a few days. For the procedure, leeches grown in laboratory conditions are used. Organisms grown in the habitat of swamps and rivers should not be used.
General impressions
The treatment of varicose veins with leeches was experienced by many patients. Most of them left enthusiastic reviews about the results of therapy and described their impressions. Visitors to hirudotherapy clinics say that leeches do not cause warm feelings. Women noted that to see or feel these invertebrates on themselves is very unpleasant. The full course of treatment was beyond the power of many, the reason for this was instinctive squeamishness to the "natural therapist".
Most say that a feeling of lightness appeared after the first treatment with leech varicose veins. The responses indicate that the condition of the veins has not improved, but the swelling, heaviness and fatigue have disappeared. Also, many noted improvement in complexion, well-being and a sense of peace.
Negative reviews indicate that it is difficult to control the quality of leeches. The certificate, certificate and other documents do not guarantee that the proposed worm was not caught in the nearest swamp. It is surprisingly unpleasant for everyone that doctors rarely warn of possible complications of hirudotherapy, and if they occur, then it is almost impossible to prove what caused the disease.
How is the session going
Treatment for varicose veins with leeches is carried out on an outpatient basis, under the supervision of an experienced specialist. The doctor examines the visible veins and estimates the extent of the lesion.
The procedure scheme is as follows:
- Near the damaged area of the vein (venous cone), two leeches are attached. This allows you to improve blood microcirculation and strengthen the walls of a sagging vessel.
- To enhance the effect, several more organisms are attached along the entire length of the vein.
- The treatment session lasts from 10 to 60 minutes.
- After saturation, the worm disappears itself or the operator removes it.
- No more than 10 leeches are applied at a time.
- The place of attachment is an open wound, on which a bandage with an antiseptic composition is applied and is fixed with a sticky bandage.
- The entire course of hirudotherapy consists of 5-7 sessions, a break between procedures is 3 days.
- During the year, it is recommended to carry out no more than 1 course of such treatment.
Due to the fact that hirudin is an anticoagulant, after a session the blood does not stop immediately. The patient is advised not to use any additional means to stop it, the wound should close with a clot on its own. To prevent severe bleeding, bed rest is recommended.
Pros of the method
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs with leeches, from a medical point of view, has the following therapeutic effects on the patient's health:
- Restores internal balance (endoecology) in the body.
- It has an anticoagulant, reflexogenic, antithrombotic, antihypoxic, bacteriolytic effect.
- Accelerates the transmission of impulses in the neuromuscular structure.
- Relaxes pinched leg muscles.
- Restores blood microcirculation.
- Increases immunity.
- Stimulates rapid wound healing.
- Lowers blood pressure, etc.
Some phlebologists believe that treatment with varicose leeches has a positive effect on the superficial veins in patients with thrombophlebitis in situations where the patient refuses medication. Some doctors are sure that hirudin has a short-term effect on the state of the blood and blood vessels. In their opinion, the anticoagulant effect ends 15 minutes after the session, and the effect of venous wall contractions disappears after 2 days.
Effectiveness patients
Patients said that they felt the relief of their condition after the first session - the heaviness in the legs receded, vitality appeared, and sleep improved. Also, many considered the merit of hirudotherapy to improve the condition of the skin, the cessation of headaches, reducing the visibility of veins on the legs. Many noted that the tool helps to delay surgery for several years, but is not a method that treats varicose veins.
Some patients write that, being at risk and having discovered the initial signs of varicose veins (a swollen vein on the leg), they decided to take measures already at the first stage of the disease. Of all the means considered, where surgery is not used, they chose the treatment of varicose veins with leeches. Reviews about the full course of therapy they left positive. Clear relief is indicated. But in some cases, you still have to do a phlebectomy several years after applying the leeches.
Cons of hirudotherapy
The negative effect of a leech on the body can begin at the stage of placing the worm on the vein area. Allergens begin to be produced by the immune system almost immediately, venous congestion can aggravate the situation and lead to suppuration of the wound and serious consequences in the long term. In addition, therapy with leeches can provoke such complications:
- Focal pigmentation at the site of suction of the worm.
- Prolonged bleeding with possible infection of an open wound.
- Allergies can trigger dermatitis, an abscess.
- In the place where the leech is used, there is a threat of the formation of a trophic ulcer, lymphadenitis, phlegmon of the leg and other diseases.
Varicose veins are a violation of the venous valves that arose due to the weakening of the walls of blood vessels. Hirudotherapy does not cure the problem, but only slightly weakens the clinical and aesthetic manifestations of the pathology. In this case, side effects of the method can cause significant harm to health.
What patients did not like
Some patients warn of the dangers of treating varicose veins with leeches. Reviews urge you to go for hirudotherapy after a thorough examination of the body, collecting blood tests and consulting with a phlebologist. It is also recommended to seek treatment only in trusted clinics - there are frequent cases of unfair behavior of doctors.
The fact is that a leech can be used only once. During the session, some experts allow the worm to fall off on its own, but sometimes this approach can threaten the patient’s health. In such cases, it is removed forcibly, and no one has a guarantee that the leech will not be reused, but on another patient.
Confirmation of such fears is the case of infection of the patient with erysipelatous inflammation, which was detected after sessions of hirudotherapy. The rehabilitation period after treatment with leeches of varicose veins on the legs is negatively evaluated. Patient reviews say that the bite sites do not heal for a long time, itch very much, and subsequently small scars on the skin remain forever. Most patients felt that leech treatment is very expensive for symptomatic therapy, and it is still necessary to solve the problem radically.
Neutral reviews
Patients whose hirudotherapy sessions were not associated with varicose veins, consider that it is very useful for everyone, without exception, to carry out this type of wellness treatment. Some have studied technology, physiological points of the installation of leeches and now practice hirudotherapy at home. This category of people talks about improving health, improving immunity, and normalizing blood pressure.
Some are treated in this way only in case of any critical condition - with migraine, an attack of hypertension, back pain and for the prevention of colds. This part of leech enthusiasts warns of the consequences: hemoglobin levels may decrease, blood pressure may decrease, the bite will take a long time to bleed, and sometimes the bandage must be changed several times in a couple of hours.
Patients who purposefully took treatment for varicose veins on the legs with leeches, reviews leave that the therapy gives many positive aspects for overall well-being, but does not affect the condition and progress of varicose veins. At the early stage, even the aesthetic effect of hirudotherapy is noticeable, but with further weakening of the walls of the vessels, the use of leeches is impractical.
Contraindications
Experts strongly recommend that contraindications to the use of leeches be taken into account.
Hirudotherapy is absolutely unacceptable for diseases such as:
- Neoplasms.
- Blood pathology (anemia, low blood coagulation, etc.).
- Hypotension of a chronic course.
- Infectious disease (chronic, ongoing in the acute phase).
- Tuberculosis.
- Hyperthermia.
- Sensitive skin.
Temporary contraindications:
- Childhood.
- Pregnancy.
- Menstrual cycle.
- Postoperative condition.
- Taking anticoagulant drugs.
- Tendency to allergic reactions.
Not all patients are informed about the dangers of hirudotherapy. This is mentioned in some reviews of the treatment of varicose veins with leeches. Reviews say that the specialist conducts an examination, prescribes some tests, but almost none of the doctors gives a detailed answer about the risks of complications.
Patients also recommend an analysis for the presence of neoplasms. Hirudin, injected with a leech into the blood, stimulates the growth of tumor cells.