WHAT IS LEECH TREATMENT?
Treatment using medical leeches is called Hirudotherapy. Leeches suck blood by biting the area they are attached to. They secrete a liquid containing more than 100 bioactive substances to the area where they suck blood. This secretion acts like a mixture of many medicines. Studies have shown that the secretion of the medical leech has many effects such as antibacterial painkiller, antirheumatic, blood pressure regulator, antidepressant, antioxidant, muscle relaxant, immune system regulator.
CONDITIONS WHERE LEECH TREATMENT CAN BE APPLIED:
Degenerative joint diseases (osteoarthritis)
Reducing pain in varicose vein diseases of the lower extremities,
Reducing pain in diseases such as lateral epicondylitis,
It is used in venous insufficiency after flap surgery, replantation and revascularization.
CONDITIONS WHERE LEECH TREATMENT WILL NOT BE APPLIED:
Bleeding Diathesis (such as Hemophilia), presence of active bleeding focus, severe anemia
Use of blood thinners before surgical intervention
Pregnancy and breastfeeding, allergy to leeches or other living creatures
Severe psychiatric disorders affecting treatment compliance
Leukemia, presence of bone marrow suppression and in cases of Cancer
In cases of gastrointestinal bleeding
People with uncontrolled diabetes or heart failure
A history of illness such as gastrointestinal bleeding in the last month,
Leech Treatment is not applied before and after surgical procedures.
In the presence of liver cirrhosis, presence of infection (HIV positivity etc.)
In dialysis patients (since vital signs of patients undergoing dialysis are very variable)
In the presence of a pacemaker, Children (under 18 years of age)
Leech treatment is not applied during menstrual period, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
AREAS NOT TO BE APPLIED IN LEECH TREATMENT:
Soft skin areas (such as eyelids and intimate areas)
Keratinized areas (such as palms, soles of the feet)
Over Important Vessels (Neck, Under Chin, Armpit, Groin, etc.)
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AFTER LEECH TREATMENT:
Prolonged bleeding
Redness, rash and itching may occur at the point of the leech bite.
Aeromonas hydrophila infection in the leech's body
Different leeches should be used once for each patient.
11.12.2024