What is Leech Therapy: Since ancient times, leeches have been used to treat many diseases. Due to its healing effects on the human body, leech therapy, a traditional treatment method, is still used today in the treatment of diseases and its importance is becoming more understood day by day.
Leech Therapy in Vascular Diseases
Leeches It has over 100 bioactive substances in its secretions that are very useful. One of the most important is hirudin, which acts as an anticoagulation agent. Calin is another ingredient that also prevents blood clotting. A component that dissolves fibrin clots and prevents thrombus formation is destabilase. Leech saliva also contains a Factor Xa inhibitor, and this compound restricts the clotting effect of Factor Xa. It also has hyaluronidase, which reduces the viscosity of interstitial fluid. For vasodilating effect, there are acetylcholine and histamine-like substances and carboxypeptidase A inhibitors. These three substances increase blood flow by widening narrowed vessels. These are just some of the very beneficial components in leech saliva.
The above-mentioned components are secreted by leeches to reduce the viscosity of the blood, creating better blood flow, thus making the consistency of the blood thinner. Blood that has a thick consistency is prone to clot formation as well as increases an individual's blood pressure. That is, it causes high blood pressure. These clots can travel to different parts of the body and block a vein. This may result in a stroke or heart attack. Thick blood puts the distal extremities, especially the tips of the fingers and toes, at risk of not receiving enough oxygenated blood and the nutrients they need. Therefore, the anticoagulation component in leeches' saliva is vital as it works to prevent platelet aggregation, which naturally thins the blood.
Leech therapy applied to patients with cardiovascular and peripheral vascular occlusion will provide better blood flow to the area.
In Cardiovascular Diseases. Leech Therapy
Since the early 20th century, people have been treating cardiovascular diseases. They used the Hirudin enzyme in the saliva of leeches, which has systemic anticoagulant effects, to kill fish. Additionally, Hirudin has been used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases because it stimulates segmental reflex mechanisms.
Leech in the Treatment of Alopecia and Baldness
Leech therapy has been shown to increase blood circulation. It is known that, when applied to thinning or bald areas, the treatment helps to increase the nutrition of hair follicles by increasing blood circulation, strengthening the hair follicles. People with alopecia caused by fungal infections or dandruff also benefit from the antibacterial properties in the saliva of leeches that help fight fungal infections. It makes use of components.
Leech Treatment in Arthritis
In arthritic joint treatment, first, the area is cleaned before medical leeches are placed in specific areas related to the problem. In this process, first the leeches secrete a natural anesthetic. The Leech vacuums up infected blood, releasing therapeutic components and enzymes from its saliva. These components and enzymes in the leech's secretions have a miraculous effect in reducing inflammation and pain in its joints.
Signs of improvement in joint pain and inflammation will be seen the next day after the treatment. Leech therapy is one of the safest ways to treat arthritis.
Leech in Diabetes Treatment
One of the most important substances in the salivary glands of leeches is Hirudin, which suppresses the blood clotting mechanism. It is a known fact that diabetic patients have viscous (thick) blood, which carries a higher risk of blood clots. The development and migration of clots in the general circulation poses serious threats, so suppression of blood clotting is important.
Hirudin also prevents blood clotting; It also increases the fluidity of the blood and relieves the pressure on the heart and blood vessel walls. The load on the heart pump is removed, the heart works comfortably.
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