Hirudotherapy: suction points of leeches (schemes for diseases of the liver and gallbladder)

31.07.2021

Treatment with medicinal leeches has been known since ancient times. The high efficiency of hirudotherapy in various diseases has been proven.

In medicine, the pharmaceutical leech (Hirudo medicinalis officinalis) and medicinal (Hirudo medicinalis medicinalis) are used. Currently, they are grown in artificial conditions and are used as an antihypertensive and antithrombotic agent.

The body of the leech ends with suckers on both sides. The back is designed for movement and attachment, it is always visible and has no holes. The front becomes noticeable at the moment of suction to the patient's body. This sucker is designed for nutrition - in its depth there is a hole that leads into the oral cavity.

When bitten, a three-beam wound is formed, from which 5 to 15 ml of blood is sucked (the volume depends on the suction time).

In the oral cavity of the leech there are three jaws (one dorsal and two lateral), which are muscular rollers, along the edges of which there are chitinous teeth.

There are salivary glands around the pharynx and anterior part of the gut of the leech. Their ducts open into the channels of chitinous teeth, with the help of which the leech bites through the skin (to a depth of 1-1.5 mm). At the same time, the secretion of the salivary glands is ejected. Part of the saliva is absorbed into the patient's blood.

Digestion is slow. It is enough for a leech to pump blood well once to maintain vital functions throughout the year. The low rate of digestion is due to the action of substances that inhibit the activity of proteolytic enzymes, which are contained in the secretion of the salivary glands.

Leeches have taste, smell and touch. They react to sugar, blood and other chemical compounds. They feel even a slight movement of water and move towards the source of vibrations.

How do medicinal leeches affect the human body?

When bitten, the secret of the salivary glands, a liquid with a unique composition, enters the wound surface.

Studies have shown that leeches secrete the following substances:

hirudin - inhibits the action of thrombin, slows down blood clotting;
trypsin, plasmin, elastase and chymazin inhibitors;
hyaluronidase;
apyrase;
collagenase;
destabilase;
triglyceridase.

The blood flowing from the wound does not clot for the first few minutes after removing the leech. The reason for this phenomenon is the action of the secretion of the salivary glands, which blocks the adhesion and aggregation of platelets.

As the blood flows out, the active substances are washed away. Hemostasis is restored, the effect on platelets stops. This will stop the bleeding.

Part of the secret is absorbed into the capillary network.

Therapeutic action:

thrombolytic;
anti-inflammatory;
lowers blood clotting;
eliminates pain;
stimulates the immune system;
improves blood circulation;
promotes the resorption of adhesions;
restores damaged nerve endings;
lowers blood pressure.

Proper use of hirudotherapy provides a good result in the treatment of many diseases.

When are leeches used?

Indications for hirudotherapy:

problems of the cardiovascular system (ischemic heart disease, hypertension I-III, heart failure I-II degree);
respiratory diseases (chronic sinusitis and bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma);
violations of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis, pancreatitis;
and bile ducts;
neurological problems (neurosis, injuries of the central nervous system and peripheral nerves, multiple sclerosis);
gynecological diseases;
problems with blood vessels (thrombophlebitis, obliterating endarteritis, hemorrhoids);
diseases of the urinary system (enuresis, prostatitis, chronic cystitis);
skin problems (neurodermatitis, eczema, psoriasis);
glaucoma;
prevention of postoperative complications (lymphostasis, thrombosis, infiltrates);
endocrine diseases (menopause, obesity, hyperthyroidism);
scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus;
dental problems (periodontitis, caries, periodontal disease);
arthrosis and arthritis.

Attention! Hirudotherapy is used only on prescription! In some cases, the use of leeches is dangerous for the patient!

Contraindications:

anemia;
leukemia;
diseases with blood clotting disorders;
erosive gastritis;
tumors of the gastrointestinal tract;
subacute bacterial endocarditis;
significant loss of body weight;
pregnancy;
individual intolerance to the secretion of the salivary glands of a medicinal leech;
hypotension;
tuberculosis (active forms);
alcohol intoxication;
condition after surgery on the spine and brain.

These contraindications are the result of numerous clinical studies.

What should be done to keep leeches healthy?

Observe the following rules in the hirudotherapy rooms:

The room should be well lit, without strong odors of drugs and disinfectants.
Sharp fluctuations in temperature are unacceptable.
For keeping leeches, wide-mouthed glass vessels are used (three liters of fresh water per hundred individuals).
The vessel must be covered with a napkin made of coarse calico or a double layer of gauze and tightly bandaged. This is done so that the leeches do not spread.
Water should be clean, without chlorine and salts of heavy metals. Prepared 2 days before use. Water must be changed daily.
An important requirement is maximum purity. Vessels are stored in a cool place, protected from sunlight.
If the leeches have become less active, a water change twice a day is recommended.

Subject to storage conditions, individuals retain their activity for six months.

Quality Criteria

Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to examine the leech. For treatment, the best specimens are used.

The main indicators of good vital activity:

The weight	The normal weight of a healthy leech is between 0.5 and 3 grams.
Contractile reflex	Examination: if you hold the leech in the palm of your hand, it quickly contracts, the body becomes short and dense; when opening the palm for a short period of time (from 5 to 15 seconds), it returns to its original state; the process is repeated with repeated compression and release of the individual.
Mobility	Good indicators: once in a vessel with water, it swims briskly; after a while it climbs the walls of the vessel, trying to get out; if you lower your hand into the water, a healthy individual quickly swims up and attaches with the help of the posterior sucker (the anterior one makes search movements to determine the site of biting through the skin); does not fall off when shaken.

How to place leeches correctly?

For patients with chronic diseases, the following treatment regimen is recommended: the course is 10 procedures (intervals between hirudotherapy sessions are 3-4 days). After that, a break is made for 3 months (the activity of the secret remains for a long time).

Secrets of "Doctor Duremar"

Sequencing:

Select the number of leeches necessary for the procedure, rinse them thoroughly with clean water and transplant them into a separate vessel.
Clean the patient's skin with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol. There should be marked hyperemia. It is not recommended to use various substances (glucose, sugar) for bait, to stimulate sufficiently heated skin. If the leech does not stick, it is of poor quality or has not had time to get hungry.
Wait 15 seconds for the alcohol vapor to evaporate.
Place the leech on the skin area selected for the procedure.
After suction (usually it takes from 1 to 3 minutes), place a layer of cotton under the attachment point so that the liquid flowing from the body of the leech does not disturb the patient.

In the first minutes after biting the skin, the patient feels pain. In the future, discomfort disappears, since the secret of the salivary glands contains an anesthetic.

Main methods:

Attention! It is unacceptable to use a pumped leech for another patient!

For staging you can use:

test tube
a small glass (volume no more than 100 ml);
20ml disposable syringe with front removed.

After the procedure, the leeches are destroyed, for which they are placed in a vessel with a 10% solution of chloramine. A sterile napkin is applied to the wound. When working, disposable gloves are required!

Schemes for staging leeches for diseases of the liver and gallbladder

Key Points:

gallbladder problems,

Two leeches are placed on the coccyx area, closer to the anus.

Liver disease

From 10 to 15 individuals are placed along the oblique line to the right of the xiphoid process of the sternum to the VI thoracic vertebra.

They also put one leech along the lower edge of the VI, VII, and VIII ribs.

One or two individuals are placed two centimeters below the edge of the costal arch along the midaxillary line.

If the leeches are placed in a vertical line, you must start from the bottom point. The position of the patient should be as comfortable as possible.

Complications of hirudotherapy

During the procedure, both adverse reactions and complications are possible. The hirudotherapy room should have everything you need for first aid.

Often meets:

skin redness;
edema;
local increase in temperature at the site of the bite;
enlargement of nearby lymph nodes.

An adverse reaction is the response of the immune system to the secretion of the salivary glands. This results in a large release of histamine. Usually, clinical manifestations of an adverse reaction appear 8 hours after 3-4 sessions.

In this situation, it will help:

cold compress (a teaspoon of soda in a glass of water);
treat the wound with a 5% solution of potassium permanganate;
antihistamines ("Suprastin");
cleansing procedures (enemas).

Complications occur very rarely:

Examples:

Infection of the wound with the development of purulent inflammation

The reasons:

non-observance of hygiene rules;
errors in care;
violations of sanitary and hygienic standards during the procedure.

Treatment: antibiotics, opening and drainage of the purulent focus.

Bleeding

Pathological bleeding during hirudotherapy - lasting over 2 days.

Reasons for the development of complications:

setting a leech over a superficially located large blood vessel.

Help: pressure bandage, wound closure.

Allergic reaction

The most dangerous complication.

May develop:

hives;
angioedema;
anaphylactic shock (often ends in the death of the patient).

If an allergic reaction is suspected, the session is immediately terminated.

The hirudotherapy room should have the necessary medicines to help with anaphylactic shock.

A prerequisite for starting treatment with leeches is a preliminary study of the coagulogram and a complete blood count!

Hirudopharmacotherapy

From a medical leech in Russia, various medicines are produced. The secret of the salivary glands is used to make cosmetics: creams, shampoos and gels.

Offers of pharmaceutical companies:

"Piyavit"

Available in capsules.

The active ingredient of the drug is a powder that is obtained from the secretion of the salivary glands of a medicinal leech (in laboratory conditions).

Indications for use:

thrombophlebitis of superficial veins;
bruising and hematoma (consequences of trauma);
phlebeurysm;
diabetic angiopathy (as part of complex treatment).

The capsules are intended for oral administration. The dose is selected by the doctor individually for each patient.

Contraindications:

hemorrhagic diathesis;
blood clotting disorders;
stomach and duodenal ulcer;
pregnancy;
individual intolerance to the components.

The drug is not intended for the treatment of children.

Gel "Girudo"

It is made from medicinal leeches grown artificially. Individuals did not come into contact with the skin of humans and animals and did not have access to the environment.

Therapeutic action:

promotes rapid healing of wounds and burns;
improves microcirculation;
reduces pain syndrome;
eliminates swelling;
promotes resorption of hemorrhages,
helps with headaches.

Application: apply a thin layer on clean skin. In order for the drug to be better absorbed, it is necessary to massage lightly.

It is used in the complex treatment of the following diseases:

thrombophlebitis;
trophic ulcer;
anal fissure;
phlebeurysm;
haemorrhoids;
burns;
hematomas of traumatic origin;
psoriasis (plaque form);
bedsores;
during plastic surgery (for better engraftment of the skin flap).

Rectal suppositories "Girudo"

Contains medicinal leech extract and cocoa butter.

Indications:

cracks in the anus and rectum;
external and internal hemorrhoids;
inflammatory diseases of the large intestine.

Application: the suppository is inserted into the rectum.

Side effect: pain and itching may occur. In this case, an oil enema is recommended (it will stop the medicine from working).

All medications are used only as prescribed by a doctor!

FAQ

Are all leeches suitable for treatment?

Good afternoon! I have suffered from varicose veins for many years. I read about the benefits of hirudotherapy, I would like to try it. But it's so expensive! I saw a lot of leeches in the pond in our country house. What if I catch a few pieces?

Hello! For hirudotherapy, special medical leeches are used, other types are not suitable for treatment. Hirudo medicinalis are grown in artificial conditions, do not have contact with the environment (therefore, they cannot be carriers of various diseases). Also, do not forget that for an effective procedure, a leech must be hungry (in the wild it is impossible to control this fact).