Leech treatment, or hirudotherapy, is one of the oldest methods of healing. Alexander the Great had a personal hirudotherapist, and Avicenna devoted his works to this science.

Recently, it has become fashionable to lose weight with their help. Correction of fat deposits occurs due to the normalization of metabolism and the elimination of congestion.

Leeches are placed on the skin in glass vials. When the worm bites through the skin with 270 chitinous teeth, a slight pain is felt - like a mosquito bite or a nettle burn. Immediately after the puncture, the leech injects an anesthetic substance, and after about five minutes the unpleasant sensations disappear.

After the leech has been removed, a sterile bandage is applied to the bite site. Do not be alarmed by the fact that clots are coming out of the wound, liquid with an unpleasant odor is blood from the microcirculation system, where organs discharge metabolic products, where it stagnates, “swamping” occurs. And thanks to bloodletting, fresh substances are delivered to the tissues. The wound may bleed for a day or two. But the marks from the three jaws, reminiscent of the Mercedes logo, remain for a long time.

gastroenterology (cholecystitis, cholelithiasis)

musculoskeletal system (arthrosis, osteochondrosis)

skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, acne)

neurological disorders (migraine, neuroses, insomnia)

rheumatic diseases (rheumatism, arthritis)

urology (prostatitis, prostate adenoma)

gynecology (infertility, uterine fibroids, menopausal syndrome)

endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus, obesity)

bleeding disorders

high degree anemia

mental illness in the acute stage

ulcerative-necrotic processes in the stomach and intestines, malignant formations

MORE than 400 SPECIES OF LEECHS ranging in size from 0.2 to 15 cm are known to specialists today. For medical purposes, they use the medical leech, three subspecies of which - pharmaceutical (Hirudo medicinalis officinalis), oriental (Hirudo medicinalis orientalis) and medicinal (Hirudo medicinalis medicinalis) live in Russia. The latter is listed in the International Red Book.

A leech is an annelid worm, a hermaphrodite, one of the oldest species of worm-like animals on earth. It is found during excavations in layers of coal. But, according to researchers, throughout its existence it has not changed, the leech’s adaptability to life is so high.

How to stop heavy bleeding after leeching

How to stop bleeding after leeches? This question interests many people who are interested in hirudotherapy. It has gained great popularity due to its high effectiveness in treating many diseases and complete safety. Leeches help stop any inflammatory processes, improve metabolism and strengthen the immune system. But there is one drawback to therapy - the need to properly stop the bleeding after the session. How to do this? What available tools should be available?

General information

The main indication for the use of leeches is problems with blood viscosity. But their use is prescribed in other cases.

What are the benefits of treatment?

1. The blood flow is unloaded mechanically.
2. Blood clots are removed from the affected areas.
3. Liquid redistribution occurs.
4. When bitten, inflamed areas are disinfected and degreased.
5. It has an antiatherosclerotic effect on the body. This is especially useful for those patients who suffer from memory problems.

And these are not all the advantages of hirudotherapy.

To get the maximum effect, you need to complete the course to the end, without missing a single procedure (usually there are 10 of them). During one session, the doctor places 3-10 leeches on the patient’s body. The amount depends on the disease and how large an area of ​​the body it affects.

Leeches are used in several areas:

• endocrinology;
• gynecology;
• cosmetology.

They are also used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, osteochondrosis, hypertension and even childhood diseases.

The essence of therapy

A hirudotherapy session is unlikely to bring pleasure to anyone. And it's not because of pain. The bite itself is practically painless. Many people say it looks like a mosquito bite.

Before starting the procedure, the skin should not be lubricated with alcohol or alcohol-containing products. Leeches sense odors very subtly and may refuse to “work.”

It takes an average of a quarter of an hour to bite. But sometimes it drags on for up to 20 minutes. There is no bleeding during this period. But after the specified time, the leech is removed and blood flows.

After a bite, blood flows freely from the wound and does not clot. This occurs due to the fact that leech saliva contains special substances that affect platelets. These blood cells are responsible for the blood clotting process. That is why in ancient times hirudotherapy was called bloodletting.

There are cases when the use of leeches is strictly contraindicated:

• period of bearing a child;
• blood pressure is too low;
• hemophilia and other diseases associated with impaired coagulation;
• use of medications from the group of anticoagulants in the treatment.

How to deal with bleeding

How to stop bleeding after a leech?

First, you should prepare some medications and devices to eliminate bleeding after leeches:

• iodine solution;
• special medical glue;
• oak decoction;
• table vinegar;
• burdock oil (can be replaced with glycerin or petroleum jelly).

Instructions for eliminating bleeding after a leech bite look something like this:

1. 1. Immediately after completion of the session, a piece of sterile bandage should be applied to the damaged skin. It can be replaced with a regular feminine pad.
   2. If the blood flows longer than expected (the next day or more), other measures must be taken. Here you will need a pressure bandage. A layer of sterile cotton wool should be applied to the bite site. Secure it with a bandage. If blood comes out, you should put another bandage on top. They can only be removed every other day.
   3. If you can’t make a bandage, apply a compress to the bitten area. To make it you will need a piece of fabric and some ice.
   4. The bite site can be lubricated with any disinfectant, for example, iodine or brilliant green. This will also help stop the bleeding.
   5. If necessary, you can use medical glue.
   6. But what if blood flows on the mucous membrane? Self-prepared rinses based on vinegar or oak bark decoction will help here. You need to use them as often as possible.
   7. Sometimes, in addition to bleeding, the patient experiences severe itching. Burdock oil will help get rid of it. They need to lubricate the bite site. You can replace it with glycerin or petroleum jelly. Scratching the wound is strictly prohibited, as this can cause inflammation or even infection.

You can stop it using a regular cotton-gauze bandage, iodine, brilliant green, etc.

Leeches)))))

girls, look at your husband's hormones

Implant window. Where in Moscow can I take this test?

Comments

I did, and this happened too. I was in the shower, I saw, I was so hysterical that my husband broke the door, what happened to me, don’t be alarmed, it’s normal

At first, when you start a treatment cycle, the blood flows for a very long time... For me, the first time the bleeding did not stop for more than a day, it was also all smeared, and then it began to stop faster 5-6 times after 12 hours, I just covered it with a band-aid. But I made leeches for myself and only from the outside. But a clot is normal, blood just collects in the vagina, and then immediately falls out in a clot. Everything will be fine.

It was pouring very heavily, and the clots were not the size of an egg, but the size of a chicken breast. I didn’t make it home, the diaper didn’t save me. I had to get out halfway, run to the pharmacy to get diapers and change them.

Katerina, you got such clots from one leech.

For some reason the doctor tells me to insert only one vaginally. ((why are they sorry?))

And the blood flowed was nothing... Well, a couple of tablespoons...

I also wore diapers. It’s terrible how to walk in them (((((I can imagine a diaper for my size 46, which skirt to hide it under))))))))))

You won’t believe it, I was wearing jeans, I somehow easily fit into them in my diaper))) but everything leaked right through.

Oh oh oh. I hope I can do without diapers)))))))

Thank you. I hope my next one will be victorious too. They put it on vaginally, I don’t feel anything at all, just blood. My blood flow is poor in my uterus. There was nothing left for cryo either.

Yes, I also had clots for almost a day. then I put it on the liver. There was blood, but no clots. They say this is how it should be when there are clots from there))

Damn, if this happens, then you can forget about the gym for the duration of treatment (((

Well, yes. If they always put it on my neck, then what kind of gym is there... but for some reason they put me there only once. On Tuesday they will simply put it on the lower abdomen

4 pieces is a lot... they give me 2 each

For some reason they just put 1 piece on me vaginally, they said I don’t need any more, like they have a very strong effect and I don’t need any more on the lower vault of the vagina. And then I read and they give me 4 ((maybe they’re fooling me so that I can go longer?

On Monday, 4 pieces will be placed on the lower vaginal vault. Have you had a general blood test?

))))) thank you, of course, for the answer))))), but the post was relevant 2 years ago.))))) I went through these leeches, now I know what and how.

They give me 5 pieces with a weight of 48 kg. Today was the first session, so after it I thought I would die. I have never felt so bad. The dizziness was terrible. I felt a strong pull in my stomach and about 20 minutes after I left the doctor a clot the size of my fist fell out. In general, now I’m afraid to go to the next procedure. and my stomach began to pull after about 5 minutes when these little bloodsuckers were installed.

yes I did. I passed all the tests for the cryoprotocol

This is fine. I had more, I was shocked:((Next time there will be less.

Thank you. I hope it will be less.

I had one, a small one, really, but it also got fucked. And the consequences of the leeches, I coughed up blood, the blood vessels in my lungs burst.

Wow(((((where did they put the leeches?

On the sacrum, liver area and navel.

Yes, clots came out, a lot of clots

They come out every time or only the first time, and then it’s normal. Was there any effect after treatment with leeches?

I really love gerudatherapy. I did it for different points and for women too. The effect was in various areas)) Sometimes the blood flowed for days. Glued pads on myself;-);)

Wow, I would die of fear)))

I even got dizzy when I saw it. ((((Now I’m almost not bleeding anymore. I’ll go again on Monday. As soon as I go to the gym now, if it’s bleeding(((((

Continuing the topic asked yesterday. Today was the first session. I took the sessions with leeches seriously. Beforehand, I thoroughly surfed the internet and read everything. If you combine and organize all the information, then for yourself.

Here's the thing. I was diagnosed with varicose veins of the small pelvis back in 2008. No instructions were given then. And now, after giving birth, they said that it was absolutely terrible and something had to be done. Considering that I.

Girls, cute! Why do we need this? Today I had intrauterine injections. how painful it is. then they placed it on the neck of the leeches. It certainly doesn’t hurt, but now I’m probably just running away from them. I don't have time to change gaskets.

Please tell me, is it normal that my blood clots are coming out?

Girls, who put leeches in Moscow to improve blood circulation in the uterus, please advise where this can be done?

My two months of treatment with leeches - hirudotherapy - have come to an end. After two months of regularly visiting these “cutest animals,” I won’t say that I fell in love with them, but I began to treat them very calmly. I wrote an earlier post about the start of treatment.

Hi all! Girls, who placed leeches vaginally where? Reviews and prices

Hi all. Tell me, is this normal? - I take duphaston from 14 to 25 dts. Your period comes and not like before, it passes evenly within 6 days, but on the first day it’s a little, on the second the whole norm comes out, moreover.

Hello girls everyone. I’m 17 weeks old, the doctor said that the cervix is ​​short, 2.8 cm. He says that I need hospitalization, why hospitalization if you can put a pessary in the gastrointestinal tract. Who knows, it’s scary, if...

Girls, who put leeches on, how did your periods go? The first cycle after leeches, your periods lasted 6 days profusely (before that, 3 days maximum, sparingly), without any clots, and without spotting, now the 2nd cycle, clots began, and today.

Stopping bleeding after a leech bite

Nowadays, hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) has become widespread. This leech therapy is considered safe and is fully approved by scientific centers of the Russian Federation. A leech bite has great benefits for the body. The blood-sucking substance independently finds a place on the patient’s skin. “Vampire” easily finds a biologically active area, which means that such a procedure will definitely be beneficial. The blood after a leech bite is enriched with a huge amount of necessary enzymes, because during the absorption procedure, the beneficial saliva of the bloodsucker enters the human body.

The patient stops any inflammatory processes, improves metabolism, and significantly strengthens immunity. Changes in the body can be felt after the first procedure.

Benefits of a leech bite

It is worth figuring out whether hirudotherapy treatment is beneficial or not. The main reason for the use of leeches is a violation of blood viscosity in the human body.

Leech bites have benefits for the body

Treatment with leeches is of great benefit, and in almost any disease, the bite of such a blood-sucking one will have a certain benefit.

This article lists the most significant positive qualities of this procedure:

• Unloading of blood flow mechanically;
• Removing blood clots in the affected areas;
• Fluid redistribution;
• Degreasing and disinfecting inflammatory areas during a bite;
• Providing an anti-atherosclerotic effect (especially important for people with memory impairment).

This is only a small part of the positive effects that appear after leech bites. To achieve maximum results, it is worth completing the full course, which on average consists of ten procedures. During a session, the patient is given from three to ten leeches (it all depends on the disease). For example, to treat a disease such as prostatitis, the patient is given exactly ten blood-sucking ones, because it is necessary to cover a wide area on the patient’s body.

Leech treatment is used in endocrinology, gynecology, cosmetology and other areas of medicine. This procedure is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, osteochondrosis, hypertension and some childhood diseases.

Treatment

A leech treatment session is not the most pleasant procedure. But it is worth stating that the leech bite itself does not bring much pain and discomfort, and in terms of sensations it can be compared to a mosquito bite. Before the procedure, you should not treat the skin with alcohol, because these bloodsucking insects are very sensitive to odors and may refuse to stick to the treated area.

If the patient has sensitive skin, the procedure will resemble the feeling of touching nettles. One bite takes a minute, but don’t be alarmed if the process drags on for up to 20 minutes. At the moment of the bite, no blood is released, but after removing the used leech, the wound begins to bleed slightly. And that's absolutely normal.

The essence of the procedure is that the blood, after a leech bite, flows freely from the wound for some time and does not clot. This is possible thanks to special substances that are found in the saliva of the bloodsucker. They significantly weaken the action of platelets, preventing them from performing their job - the function of blood clotting. In ancient times, such treatment using leeches was called hemorrhage. Nowadays, doctors also recommend treatment with leeches to prevent many diseases.

A person is often afraid of the first procedure due to a personal dislike of leeches. But just one session is enough for all fears to completely disappear, because it’s not that painful and not scary at all! The patient must calm down on his own and tune in to the procedure.

Places where leeches are placed

What is needed to stop bleeding

Sometimes after a session, small swelling or even bleeding remains at the site of the leech bite. Such consequences often frighten the patient, but there is nothing dangerous about it. These effects are the body's natural defenses. If after the procedure blood continues to flow from the site of the bite, then you should not panic; the initial task is to properly stop the bleeding after the leech.

The following drugs may be useful for this:

• Alcohol solution green brilliant (zelenka) or iodine;
• Medical glue;
• Oak decoction or vinegar;
• Vaseline or glycerin.

As a rule, the procedure for stopping the blood is performed by the doctor himself immediately after removing the leech. After the session, the bleeding stops within 24 hours.

If bleeding after a leech bite does not stop within the specified time, serious measures should be taken. The first aid in such a situation may be to apply a tight sterile bandage to the wound area. This bandage can be removed only after 24 hours, by which time the bite will have completely healed. The duration of blood stop directly depends on its clotting. This indicator is strictly individual, so you should definitely consult a doctor before the procedure.

Correct bleeding stop after the session

After completing the procedure, a sterile dressing or bandage should be applied to the bleeding area. This action will stop the bleeding after a leech bite. Any person may not stop bleeding for 24 hours after a leech bite; do not be alarmed. But if there is heavy bleeding, then you should use a pressure bandage to stop the flow of blood. You should change such a bandage no more than once a day.

If the bleeding area is difficult to bandage, use ice. The frozen piece should be presented to the wound for a while; there is no need to freeze the affected area for a long time, this can only aggravate the process. It is worth applying not ice itself to the damaged area, but a compress of ice wrapped in a clean cloth. It is also worth making sure that defrosted water does not get on the wound and dilute the coagulating blood.

Also, after a leech bite, the damaged area should be disinfected; green diamond alcohol solution will do this role perfectly. Zelenka will not only kill all bacteria on the surface of the wound, but will also dry it out a little, which in turn will have a positive effect on blood clotting.

Bleeding must be slowed down correctly so as not to harm the patient's health. After slowing down the bleeding and treating the bite, you should apply a bandage or any clean bandage to the bleeding area.

If hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) is carried out on the mucous membrane (for example, the oral cavity), then it is important for the patient to rinse the mucous membrane as often as possible with a weak solution of vinegar or oak decoction. To eliminate itching in the bite area, you should use burdock oil. This remedy will also slow down the bleeding a little.

After the procedure, scratching the bite site is strictly prohibited! There is a high probability of infection and the occurrence of a severe inflammatory process in the damaged area.

Text of the book "Hirudotherapy. Encyclopedia of treatment with medicinal leeches - Lyubov Kostikova"

Chapter 31. Possible complications during hirudotherapy - how to avoid them

What complications can occur during a course of hirudotherapy? The main ones are allergies, swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, itching, redness, pigmentation at the site of the bite, weakness, slight drowsiness, bleeding. You must understand that there are no particularly pronounced deviations, otherwise leeches would not be sold in pharmacies without a prescription to anyone who wants to use them. These effects are rare and not for everyone. The inconveniences associated with them can be easily overcome, even working a normal schedule; this is a very small price to pay for the removal of the diagnosis. However, I consider their consideration mandatory, since many people are frightened by these effects and quit hirudotherapy, believing that it is not suitable for them, but this is not so. In addition, with the correct setting and behavior during the course, it is easy to minimize them or prevent them altogether.

Hyperpigmentation of the skin at the site of leech bites is observed when blood clots and clots accumulate at the site of the bite - when the wound cannot heal for a long time, it becomes pigmented.

To do this, in people with light skin prone to pigmentation, it is not necessary to immediately apply it to open areas (liver, pancreas). First, it is better to clean the blood so that there are no clots in it and there is nothing to block the opening of the wound, then it will heal easily and quickly without any pigmentation. To do this, place 2-3 pieces on the navel and tailbone (under the “tail”, where the bites are not visible), 1-2 times a week, until the leeches begin to fall off on their own after 35-40 minutes. That's it, the blood is clean - you can put it on the lower abdomen, even on the neck - no traces will remain. For greater guarantee, I recommend that patients, as soon as the wound closes, use heparin ointment or troxevasin 2-3 times a day until any traces completely and quickly disappear. For people with light delicate skin, thin people and children, we place only medium-sized leeches, small in size - the larger the leech, the larger the hole and the more likely pigmentation. Do not take “crocodiles” with a long shelf life at the pharmacy - go to a leech breeding factory and take babies (but not cosmetic ones) - they give the same effect, but are less painful when applied and do not leave marks on the skin.

A completely harmless, but unpleasant consequence of using leeches can be a small intradermal or subcutaneous hemorrhage, which looks like an ordinary bruise, then turns yellow, which lasts about two weeks. Gradually the skin acquires its normal color. In men, this has no consequences at all, but in women with fair skin, the white mark from the bite can last up to six months - then it goes away for them too. Do not wait for white spots to appear, and also use any heparin-containing ointment three times a day (rub in well) until it disappears completely. If even a tiny scar appears, urgently buy Contractubex or Miderma at the pharmacy - they will dissolve the scar - and place only the navel and tailbone: your skin is prone to scars, do not risk open areas.

Swelling and bruising at the site of leech placement is a sign of stagnation (venous congestion) of blood, lymph and interstitial fluid. The leech saliva cannot penetrate further (there is not enough concentration yet - the blood flow and lymph flow are too thick). Due to the thick blood, the bites close early, the remains of semi-dissolved conglomerates accumulate in front of the bite site - swelling occurs at the bite site - it takes time for all this to return to the bloodstream and exit through the body’s normal elimination systems. You shouldn’t be afraid of this - all the blood clots are in a jelly-like state, there are just a lot of them. Swelling and swelling, itching and irritation may occur - the body “asks” to scratch to help it “disperse” it all. Rinse with water and lubricate with any soothing cream (boro-plus, gistane), or even better, a absorbable cream that will help disperse all this (heparin ointment, lyoton, troxevasin, troxerutin). With repeated placement of leeches, physiological drainage is restored. It’s good that this is visible - thanks to this reaction we can achieve complete cleansing and normalization of blood and lymph flow.

Slight drowsiness, weakness and slight chills after the procedure occur in people with thick dirty blood and low immunity. A hirudotherapy session, especially in the first half of the course, is a general cleaning of the body. Cholesterol plaques, fibrin clots, blood clots, lipid protein compounds - everything that has been deposited on the walls of blood vessels for years will begin to gradually dissolve, turn into a jelly-like state and flow into the general bloodstream. There is no need to be afraid of this - not everything will dissolve at once (exactly as much as there is enough saliva for tiny 3-5 leeches), and it is not dangerous - saliva dissolves all solid blood clots that it reaches - there is nothing to block the blood flow. For 3000 years, there have been no recorded cases of heart attack or stroke from leeches; moreover, a good course guarantees that there will be no heart attack or stroke for a certain time. However, for some time all these jelly-like clots will circulate in the blood - the overall blood flow will become a little dirtier for 4-8 hours than yesterday. If the blood rheology is sufficiently poor - all the blood clots and blood clots do not have time to come out of the holes - the bites close earlier. The body will ask you not to strain it to cleanse it as quickly as possible, so if drowsiness and slight chills appear, drink a cup of hot herbal tea or just a glass of water, take cover and sleep for half an hour. You will wake up a different person - the conglomerates dissolved by the leech are eliminated quite quickly (of course, while maintaining the water balance).

Edema is often observed in people with removed organs and surgical interventions. The fact is that during operations the lymphatic system is damaged - after the scalpel, scars and obstruction remain where lymph had recently flowed. Leech is a lymphatic and lymph cleansing agent; it moves lymph, but there is nowhere for it to move - swelling occurs. The leech itself will gradually sort itself out and find intact blood and lymph lines and clean them, establishing blood and lymph flow, but this may not happen immediately. The same reaction (swelling) can be observed without surgery, but with thick lymph - until the lymph flow is established by a leech, swelling will be observed for some time in the most difficult and stagnant places. They gradually disappear as the lymphatic system is cleansed. You don’t need to put it on the swollen areas often, let the leech’s saliva work well – once a week is enough, maybe once every two weeks. When doing this, be sure to take into account the anatomy. If there is swelling in the legs (for example, on the ankle), ensure the passage of blood and lymph from the legs along the entire highway - these are the interdigital areas of the legs and the lumbosacral region. Only after working out these zones does it make sense to repeat the placement in the edema zone. It often happens that there is no need to repeat it - after the fingers and sacrum the swelling will go away on its own.

The patient may be frightened by such a phenomenon as swelling of the lymph nodes after the first application of leeches. It's the same mechanism. The lymphatic system has never been cleaned - it hardly moves, the lymph nodes are “clogged” and do not function properly. The leech “raises” everything that has been stored in the lymph nodes for years and has not been processed - the activation of the lymphatic system begins. The lymph nodes enlarge, raise the temperature, process residual toxins and pathological agents, then throw everything into the general lymph flow for elimination. This process indicates that it was possible to open the foci of chronic infection and the lymph nodes began to fulfill their purpose - they “grind” bacterial bodies. Leech, by thinning the blood and lymph flow, helps the lymph nodes cleanse and return to normal. Of course, they increase during this process - this is a natural mechanism - and with colds and flu they also increase, raising the temperature and destroying viruses. Only after breaking down and processing toxins and pathological agents can the lymph node throw it all out for elimination and cleanse itself. Clogged lymph nodes are not helpful to either the blood or the immune system. The cleansing process is underway, putting the lymph nodes in order, which means that in case of flu or cold you will have powerful protection in the form of a well-functioning lymphatic system. A clean lymph node will not enlarge when leeches are applied - even with activation and “checking” for cleanliness. Approximately every 4–5th patient notes this feature.

In case of such complaints, we immediately turn on herbal medicine (lymphatic and blood-thinning herbs) and water regime. The intestines must also work as well as possible in order to promptly remove everything that the lymph will discharge. If the lymph nodes in the neck are swollen, I simply continue the general course and look at the position of the lymphatic system. The nodule may enlarge somewhere else. This is normal - if one lymph node shows itself, there may well be more - this is already an indicator of poor lymph functioning. The patient must understand all this. By the end of the course, almost always all nodes are normal. If there is anything left, place the leeches closer and help complete the cleansing process. For example, for swollen lymph nodes around the head or neck, I place it on the cervical spine and behind the ears. As part of a comprehensive system, we were usually able to put all the nodes of the lymphatic system in order at the end of the first course, even if before that they had been swollen for months.

Can a wound rot after a bite? Maybe! But only if you actively scratched it with dirty nails or it got caught under an elastic band or clothing fastener. In no other case does this happen - leech saliva is bactericidal, and you need to injure the bite site for several days in order to manage to introduce dirt there (after the saliva has already resolved and gone away). To prevent this from happening, if the bite gets under an elastic band, belt or fastener, after the bleeding has stopped, rinse, wipe and apply a small bactericidal patch with a pad - change it daily and wear it for 3-4 days until the wound is completely healed. In the practice of hirudotherapists, cases of pustules on bites are described when removing a leech with a solution of soda, acid, salt, etc. - by changing the composition of saliva at the site of the bite, you change its disinfectant and healing properties. I don’t use anything - I rub a dry cotton pad directly over the leech, and it falls off on its own. As a last resort, let her “sniff” cotton wool with alcohol or vodka - she will immediately stop eating and run. And there is no need to rub its “nose” or the bite site with alcohol - there is nothing better than the composition of the leech’s saliva itself.

There’s no point in talking about bleeding - this is exactly why we use a leech. Some people, after 6-8 hours, begin to seal the bite site with medical glue or pour hydrogen peroxide on it to stop the bleeding. For what?! First of all, nothing will work. Since leeches block all the main mechanisms of blood clotting, conventional hemostatic therapy for post-leech bleeding is not effective. By the way, this does not mean that if you cut your finger with a knife, blood will flow for hours due to the fact that you are on a course of hirudotherapy - no, we are talking only about the site of the bite, and any other wound will quickly heal. Secondly, the more blood flows, the better and more it will be replaced and cleansed. Let it flow. And don’t be afraid - two-thirds of it is lymph, not blood (lymph does not carry or remove hemoglobin). Only if the blood continues to flow for more than 24 hours can action be taken - this will not stop the cleansing now. I don't recommend doing anything at all. However, if you have an urgent trip, plane, or business trip, you should apply a tight pressure bandage for 3 hours. A piece of Tampax 2-3 cm long with a tight fixation to the skin with an adhesive plaster and an elastic bandage (without tightening too much!) helps a lot. Expanding when filled, Tampax will press down on the hole and stop the bleeding at the site of the bite. If there is not a lot of bleeding, just firmly fix it on the wound with a couple of cotton pads - they will block minor bleeding. If you urgently need to stop, use a vacuum jar for 5 minutes - it will “take away” the blood with hirudin, and the remaining blood will easily clot - apply a cotton pad and a tighter bandage. This is a last resort option, in case of departure or departure, and you should not use it earlier than 8 hours later.

Doctor of Medical Sciences, President of the Moscow Alliance of Hirudotherapists Vladimir Alekseevich Savinov believes that an allergy to the placement of leeches, as well as itching and swelling at the bite sites, develops in patients with pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to normalize nutrition and restore the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, and in the meantime use antihistamines in small quantities (suprastin or tavegil 1/2 t.). Some hirudotherapists say that validol helps a lot - lubricating the bite site with it. O.Yu. Kamenev recommends the use of Giruda ointment 0.2% (made on the basis of a medicinal leech extract) to the points where leeches are placed, both to relieve the invasive reaction and to prevent it. He writes: “If a prefix reaction occurs, the ointment is applied up to 3 times a day until it resolves. For preventive purposes, it can be used after the first procedure once a day. This tactic helps to weaken the severity of the prefix reaction and practically eliminates the possibility of its development to the third degree. We can recommend the use of enterosorbents (enterosgel, polyphepan 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day), herbal medicine.”

Hardikov Alexander Vladimirovich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, practicing obstetrician-gynecologist, Associate Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kursk State Medical University, Russia, and Gazazyan Marina Grigorievna, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Honored Doctor RF, in their new book “Hirudotherapy in the treatment of chronic salpingo-oophoritis (inflammatory process in the fallopian tubes and ovaries)” write: “For almost all women during the course of hirudotherapy, we recommend procedures for “cleansing” the body of existing toxins and harmful metabolites (primarily from intestinal endotoxin, the role of which in the development of many diseases has been proven in recent years (Enukidze G.G., Anikhovskaya I.A., Marachev A.A., 2007). For this purpose, an appropriate diet, fasting days are prescribed without fail. enterosorbents. Along with sorbents, it is recommended to take antioxidants (vitamin E, Essentiale, etc.). The use of this regimen significantly increases the effectiveness of the hirudotherapy course.”

Personally, I cannot draw a clear parallel - that a post-staging reaction occurs only in patients with pancreatitis. But in cases of undesirable reactions, I always see too thick blood - the leech sucks weakly, rests often, does not eat enough, and within an hour or even spits out without having eaten enough. Therefore, I support the recommendation for a more attentive attitude to the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and nutrition. The quality of blood and lymph flow depends on nutrition and the work of the intestines, and if their quality is good, there are no reactions - after 2-3 days tiny dots remain. So, I agree, allergies are an indicator of poor nutrition, possibly pancreatitis and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. However, I devote the first three meetings exclusively to changing nutrition according to blood pH 7.3, the importance of “live”, enzymatic food, the need for normal intestinal biocenosis and daily bowel movements. So, allergic reactions, or more correctly staged ones, go away in patients after only 3-4 reactions (a month and a half) - the blood and lymph become cleaner, there is nothing to accumulate at the site of the bite - there is no swelling, redness and itching. Like Kamenev, I often use enterosorbents for severe reactions on the skin and in my health - just not enterosgel (it’s hard on the stomach, many complain, and, of course, never activated charcoal), but filtrum, filtrum-sti or lactofiltrum. They really help to cleanse the lymphatic and blood flow faster, as well as put the intestines in order - all “allergic” reactions go away and positive dynamics come faster.

Chapter 32. How to give leeches to parents - the subtleties of working with those over 60

At the same time, dad will insist on certain places - “if you put it, then where it hurts” in order to quickly get relief. All this dirt will go through the inflamed areas near the veins and nodes on the legs, which will also take a long time to heal (the skin there is thinned and regeneration is difficult), or through another sore spot, which will lead to additional stress. What if a person is under 80 years old or is also overweight?

Krashenyuk Albert Ivanovich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, writes on his official website: “Hirudotherapy in the elderly is an extremely pressing problem. This is due, on the one hand, to the wide range of therapeutic effects of this natural method, on the other hand, to the complexity of treating such patients, who, as a rule, already have multiple organ disorders, and the high risk of complications from the use of synthetic drugs. Kidney and liver functions change with age. The incidence of drug-related cytopenias increases in individuals over 55 years of age. In this case, drug-induced thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis are the most common. The most common cause of thrombocytopenia is the use of diuretics, quinine, indomethacin, butadione, antibacterial drugs (cephalosporins, tetracyclines, biseptol), cardiac glycosides, antidiabetic drugs, NSAIDs, estrogens, heparin, interferon... etc.). These circumstances dictate the choice of technology for using hirudotherapy (traditional or systemic method).”

So what to do? Should I bet? This means giving additional work to remove toxins from the liver and kidneys, which are already undermined by the long-term effects of drugs. Not diagnosing it is also bad - all around we only hear about heart attacks and strokes, despite taking aspirin, thrombo-assa, cardiomagnyl and other anticoagulants. And things like a hip fracture in people over 70 may not heal at all without leeches. Therefore, it is necessary to place it, but to place it according to a certain pattern. It may take longer, but it will be safe.

We place leeches in groups of two or three, no more. Only the navel and, after a week, the tailbone. We put it like this: 3-4 times in the navel and the same amount on the tailbone - alternately, first for 15-20 minutes. This concentration will not dissolve too many conglomerates, and will begin to gently cleanse the liver (the navel is the large portal vein directly into the liver) without “capturing” dirt from the general bloodstream. The tailbone is a zone of immunity. At this time, we gradually put in order the waste removal systems - lymphatic and intestinal. We start with water - we need a liter per day (if both kidneys are in place) at least. But if a person has not drunk for decades, the kidneys will not easily pass this water, and swelling is possible. Therefore, we add this amount literally drop by drop and gram. We start with a plastic cup of 250 ml and add one more cup per week (35-40 ml per day). In a month we'll reach a liter. This is the amount at which it is already possible to begin a mild course of hirudotherapy, but not exceeding the amount: three leeches per application. We use herbal medicine as an assistant in the disappearance of possible swelling, as well as in cleansing the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Not a liter, like you and me, but four times half a glass. Make herbal tea both tasty and healthy: a little thyme, definitely a little oregano, a pinch of mint, chestnut flowers and raspberry leaves, a little meadowsweet and hazel leaves and a handful of rose hips. After an hour you can drink it, especially tasty with good honey - serve in a mug with a saucer - you have to love herbal tea. Nutritionists say that only what we enjoy drinking and eating is beneficial, and if you drink grass, holding your nose with your hand and saying something about “bitter muck,” then the effect will be appropriate, and he will throw your tea away as soon as you'll leave.

When working with arthritis and arthrosis, excess weight should be kept to a minimum - no matter how many leeches you put on it, if 100 kg puts pressure on the joint capsule, it will fall apart sooner or later. Tell us why you need “live” food, enzymes and enzymes that are found only in unprocessed food, give them a taste of a delicious “green” smoothie, give them a blender for their birthday. Those who drink a “green” smoothie need not be afraid of osteoporosis and brittle bones, and it is indispensable for strengthening an already damaged joint capsule - explain this to your parents.

We must remove constipation, and not with laxatives, which only disrupt the intestinal biocenosis, but, on the contrary, with means that improve the quantitative and qualitative composition of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine. Instead of store-bought kefir, prepare Evitalia, and if constipation is significant, start with Duphalac.

The next step is fungotherapy. This is the softest and broadest impact. If I am asked to work with a person over 70 years old, I agree only after 3-4 months of fungotherapy and then begin a course of hirudotherapy with her. It is fungotherapy that will very gently and imperceptibly soften blood clots, prevent allergies, prepare the immune system (increasing the quantity and quality of immune bodies), tidy up the enlarged liver and turn on the weakened kidneys and pancreas. After 3-5 months, even an elderly person discovers that he began to complain less about fatigue, never got sick with the flu, and tries to remember where he put his skis and poles in the winter, and where he put his fishing rod and bicycle in the summer. That's it, the body is ready to remove many years of dirt and do general cleaning. You can start a general course, but without fanaticism in quantity, no more than once a week and at first for 15–20 minutes. If there is no heavy bleeding, after 3-4 weeks you can do it for 30-40 minutes. Bring a cotton swab with alcohol or vodka to the leech’s nose (just don’t burn it or rub it with alcohol, otherwise it may bite harder) - it will immediately spit and start running.

Thus, your parents' usual classical course must be preceded by serious preparation. Hirudotherapy is primarily a cleansing of the body. This is work, and it requires a reserve of strength and cleanliness of dirt removal systems. Go through in order and “turn on” all the significant mechanisms: intestinal biocenosis and daily stool, nutrition and weight (at least start losing), “green” smoothies and sufficient water balance, the lymphatic system (phytotherapy) and the immune system (fungotherapy). Working with elderly patients in this way, I always received only smooth positive dynamics - no one complained of chills and fatigue, or increased blood pressure and worsening condition. Show patience and care - there is no easy way out where everything is damaged by years of using chemicals (they have many side effects, but sometimes you can’t do without them) and there was no information on maintaining and improving your health. The doctor has no time to explain, but your dad didn’t have the Internet or a competent hirudotherapist. The body is a self-healing system, cells divide and renew themselves until the last day of our life, which means restoration is possible at least within the boundaries of normal well-being and an active lifestyle. Of course, it is difficult to guarantee the complete removal of long-term diagnoses (but sometimes it is possible), and people “over 70” do not ask for this. It is quite enough for them that they are no longer threatened with a heart attack or a stroke with paralysis, that nothing hurts, they began to sleep normally, stopped constantly getting sick with flus and colds, and “rewinded” back five years in vigor and mood.

During the break between courses of hirudotherapy, continue everything except leeches. Possible movements and exercises, reading books on health topics are very recommended. After a result that suits both parties (you and your parents), a course of hirudotherapy can be carried out once every 6–8 months. Provided you continue to follow all the above tips to maintain a comprehensive system of body recovery, this is quite enough to feel good and live actively for many years.

It is clear that if a pensioner is strong, engages in feasible physical labor and sports, practically does not drink alcohol, drinks little medicine and enough water, the body’s recovery system can be turned on simultaneously with soft settings and if he is feeling well - after a month, increase the number of leeches to 4-5 . It’s okay that the course will last up to three months – but without any unwanted effects.

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The patient’s regimen after the hirudotherapy procedure is individual, as is the treatment itself. It is usually recommended to rest after treatment for 24 hours, semi-bed rest. Some patients need to stay at home for two to three days (if using a large number of leeches and if they feel unwell after the procedure). The severity of the regimen is determined by assessing the patient’s condition after the leeches fall off. In my practice, I often come across very active patients who immediately after the procedure rush to work and hardly rest, despite recommendations. The rhythm of life of a modern person, even an unhealthy one, does not give him time to rest.

How to treat a wound after a leech bite

After the leech is removed or falls off, a three-ray wound remains with a diameter of 1 - 2 mm and a depth of about 1.5 mm. Blood and lymph ooze profusely from the wound. After the procedure, the doctor treats the wound and applies a bandage. We use sanitary pads as they can absorb large amounts of blood and are more convenient than cotton wool.

At home, the patient changes the dressings as needed (approximately every 3 to 4 hours).

Typically, bleeding after hirudotherapy lasts from 3 hours to a day. Substances injected by a leech into the wound prevent blood clotting and bleeding continues until they are washed out of the wound by the blood flow.

You can take a shower after the bleeding has stopped, and a general bath no earlier than 5 to 6 days later. Do not rub the wound with a washcloth to avoid introducing infection into the wound.

A few days after the start of hirudotherapy, the bite sites and the skin around them begin to itch. Itching can vary in intensity (from mild to unbearable). Beware of scratching wounds! In these cases, I recommend lubricating the skin around the wound with Fenistil-gel (sold at any pharmacy).

Complete healing and falling off of the crust occurs by the end of the third week after the bite.

Small scars from a bite in rare cases can remain for many years, this depends on the tendency of the patient’s skin to form keloid scars. To prevent scars, I recommend early use of Dermatix cream, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.

Patients are interested in how to stop bleeding after leeches, why it flows for so long, how long the bleeding can continue. For quite a long time, hirudotherapy was undeservedly forgotten and doctors did not resort to treatment with leeches. Now this method of influencing a sick body is returning to its former popularity, so more and more people are asking why there may be bleeding after the procedure and how to stop the bleeding.

What are the benefits of hirudotherapy?

It should immediately be noted that only specially grown leeches can be used for the procedure. Those that live freely in water bodies are completely unsuitable for these purposes, as they can become a source of serious diseases. Usually the worm itself determines the place where it needs to bite. Many experts argue that such places are most often located in biologically active points.

The benefit of a leech bite is that it injects quite specific enzymes into the blood that are beneficial to humans. First of all, the saliva of the worm can affect the course of inflammatory processes. Thanks to the enzymes secreted by this type of creature, metabolism improves and at the same time immunity is strengthened. Moreover, all these positive manifestations of the bite become noticeable after the first session.

Leeches will be useful if you need to relieve the bloodstream of excess blood. If blood clots have formed and do not come out, but need to be eliminated, this can only be done mechanically. The usual course of treatment in hirudotherapy consists of 10 sessions. At first, it is recommended to apply no more than 3 specimens to the skin. Then their number can be gradually increased to ten. It is not recommended to exceed this value.

Also, the amount of freshwater used per session depends on the type of disease that will be treated with hirudotherapy.

A worm bite usually does not cause positive emotions, but the pain that occurs in this case is not so strong. The bite is similar in its effect to acupuncture, which is also carried out at biologically active points.

Why does blood flow from the wound after leeches?

When an annelid worm pierces the skin, no blood comes out of the wound at all. And only after the individual is removed, the damage site begins to bleed. This is considered normal, but measures must be taken to stop severe bleeding. True, this should not be done immediately after the end of the procedure, but after some time.

It is important to remember that these representatives of ringed animals cannot be placed on vessels and veins, since it will be very difficult to stop bleeding from the wound after leeches in this case.

How long does it take to bleed after a leech bite? Blood cannot clot immediately due to the enzymes it contains. After removing the worm, a bleeding swelling may form at the site of the bite, which does not threaten the body in any way and will disappear over time.

How can you stop bleeding after leeches?

In order to stop bleeding after using leeches, you must prepare in advance:

• green brilliant alcohol solution or iodine;
• medical glue;
• sodium chloride solution;
• crushed hemostatic sponge;
• blood-sucking jar;
• absorbent cotton wool, bandage;
• oak bark decoction or vinegar;
• Vaseline or glycerin.

If the blood does not stop flowing within 24 hours, it is recommended to apply a sterile tight bandage to the wound for another day, which will stop the bleeding. Under no circumstances should surgical sutures be applied to a bleeding wound. The edges of the bite should be treated with sodium chloride solution. It is also advisable to powder the damaged area with a crushed hemostatic sponge. A blood-sucking jar, which should be placed on the wound for 15 minutes, will stop the bleeding perfectly.

There is no need to lubricate the bite sites with any liquids: they are protected with sterile absorbent cotton swabs, and then secured with strips of adhesive plaster, and on the arms or legs with bandages. As the blood gets wet, layers of fresh cotton wool are placed on top of the bandage.

Bleeding after leeching in places that are inconvenient for using bandages can be stopped by applying a small piece of ice to the wound. You cannot apply ice directly to the bite site; you must wrap it in a cloth and press it against the skin as a compress. As soon as the ice begins to melt, it must be replaced, because water can get into the wound, and this should not be allowed. It is advisable to immediately disinfect the wound formed after a bite; to do this, it is enough to treat it with brilliant green or iodine.

In some cases, it is necessary to use leeches on the oral mucosa. It is very difficult to apply a tight bandage to a bleeding wound in the mouth. Iodine and brilliant green will disinfect the wound, but they will not be able to completely stop the bleeding. The reason for this is the moist environment in the mouth. In this case, it is recommended to use a weak solution of vinegar or a decoction of oak bark. The first can be diluted with burdock oil; this remedy can slow down bleeding.

The most important condition is to prohibit scratching the bite site. If the itching after the procedure is very severe, it is recommended to treat the area with glycerin or Vaseline. This manipulation can be carried out every 2 hours.

It is best if the procedure itself takes place in the presence of a medical professional, who must visually examine the wounds and determine what measures need to be taken to stop the bleeding.

The use of a small amount of medical glue or fluoroplastic after a hirudotherapy session is considered very effective.

You shouldn’t get carried away with treatment with leeches either. The maximum number of sessions that can be carried out without causing harm to health is 15. The average duration of each of them should be about 20 minutes. The maximum time for which a freshwater worm can be applied to the skin is no longer than 50 minutes.

All specialists with many years of experience in this field of medicine do not recommend treating with leeches at home. The only exception may be people who have completed special courses in hirudotherapy. This treatment is not indicated for everyone, and in some cases it is strictly prohibited. Therefore, it is recommended to visit a doctor before starting the procedure.

I gave the rating a C, but nevertheless I will still recommend the procedure. In order to get a really positive effect, you need to study everything carefully. To begin with, not only what are the positive properties of leeches, but also the negative consequences, as well as help in unforeseen situations.

Where did I start?

I started with the fact that after reading about miracles, I wanted to try. However, I did not dare to experiment on my own, since my health is poor. There are a lot of problems (damn, I’m not even 30 years old))))) Working pressure: 110 to 60, if suddenly there is stress or nerves, it jumps to 150-160 to 90-100, which is a lot for me. Weight: 46 kg. When I had laparoscopy, I had to take a blood test to check clotting. I had the lower threshold, that is, the blood clots, but not quickly. Based on this, I went to the clinic, suddenly it was contraindicated for me to put leeches....

Going to the clinic.

I come with tests, papers, complaints. The doctor is clearly an amateur, but the price at the clinic was the most attractive of all. The cost is 700 rubles for production and 50 rubles for each leech. I voiced that I had a kidney problem, chronic tonsillitis, weak immunity, infertility of unknown origin, and so on. He says who recommended leeches to me, I honestly answered that I decided it myself. Primarily due to the fact that they strengthen the immune system. He began to impose acupuncture on me. But I insisted.

Setting up leeches.

They placed a leech without asking my anthropometric data, without pressure, without anything at all. I didn't even look at the tests.

I placed one test leech on the sacrum for 15 minutes. He told me to come back in 4 days if everything was ok.

Everything was ok. The blood quickly stopped and the wound healed. The next time they put 4 leeches on my sacrum, as he said for the kidneys. This time there was more blood, and everything was leaking into my jeans, I looked as if my period had begun. It’s good that I had a jacket with which I wrapped myself (((

It takes me 2 hours to drive home from the clinic!

The third time he placed it on the withers just below the neck. The bleeding stopped very quickly, no discomfort.

And finally, the last time for me is the fourth time with consequences.

The position was on the stomach, just above the pubis. If before this the leech bites were painless, now I was writhing in pain. They are called gnawing. 4 pieces. I was in a bright dress, multi-colored, and I was very glad that I was wearing this particular dress.

Over all the times, these leeches fell off on their own. Before this, the doctor removed them. The stomach was bleeding normally. We made a standard dressing with half a pad. I went out and literally half an hour later I realized that all my panties were wet and there were blood stains on my dress. I ran to the store for pads and cotton wool, the patch was in my bag. I went to a fast food cafe to go to the toilet, I lifted my dress, and sooooooo! Everything is covered in blood. Everything flows down my legs. I quickly wash everything off and bandage it. The blood doesn’t ooze, it just gushes, I don’t even have time to just apply sponges or cotton wool, everything is already dripping onto the floor. With grief in half, I still bandaged it. After another half an hour on public transport, a similar situation occurs. I fly out and go to the toilet. Bandaging again. Less than 30 minutes later, I didn’t even get to the bus, my legs were running again. In total, I changed 4 dressings in 2 hours.

I arrived home bleeding. And away we go! It was terrible.

About every hour I changed the bandage, my blood was just gushing out. The doctor warned that there would be more blood here, and it could bleed for days. But he didn't say it with such intensity. I didn't sleep that night. The leeches were placed at 12 noon. At 2 am I started having panic attacks, shaking hands, chills, etc. I began to realize that I would simply bleed to death. I started reading how to stop bleeding. It was real bleeding.

How to stop bleeding after leeches if it is heavy?!

I took a clean sponge, moistened it with table vinegar, and put an ice pack on top. When the blood started to seep out, after a couple of minutes, I made a new sponge and so 30 minutes passed. The blood began to stop. How bad it was! The blood stopped, but flowed out, just a little. And I still held the ice for a little while. And it bled just one wound out of four.

What are the health consequences?

I started having a severe migraine. Simply indescribable. It was easier for me only when I fell asleep, the rest of the time I couldn’t even speak, my tongue was confused, my thoughts were scattered and I couldn’t even say anything coherently. It was necessary to take a test and check his hemoglobin. I chalked it all up to heavy blood loss. I don’t know how much I lost, but probably a lot. Surprisingly, the pressure was perfect. Only a day later it dropped to 80 to 50. But after coffee it returned to normal.

I took a clinical blood test. With my normal hemoglobin of 13, it dropped to 9.2, below laboratory norms, and other indicators also became lower. Now I'm recovering. I need to eat beef every day, with a short cooking time, vegetables, vitamins and other things to restore blood.

Did I get the desired effect?

No, in 4 sessions I did not get any effect, firstly, because I needed to stop the bleeding immediately, and perhaps I would not have had to interrupt the course, and secondly, in 4 sessions there is unlikely to be any effect.

One way or another, I give my husband leeches myself. I control everything myself. I read the sequence and locations of the productions on the Internet. My leech simply got on a blood vessel and that’s why the blood flowed in a stream. The wound should not bleed heavily; if it bleeds heavily, it is better to stop the bleeding. The effect of a leech is not in bloodletting, but in the substances it injects when it attaches itself. The therapeutic effect of its substances lasts about 15-20 minutes, then there is simply bloodletting. Which, as experience has shown, can be very harmful.

My conclusions.

When I regain my health, I take all the tests again, I still want to try to test myself on the sacrum, this time without a doctor. One leech costs me 45 rubles. I know where to put it and how to stop the bleeding too. I still hope to strengthen my immune system and alleviate my illnesses. Still, I pin my hopes on leeches, but without the grief of a doctor.

And by the way, I have almost no traces of them left. There were no hematomas at all.

Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicenna wrote about treatment with leeches. Drawings of the use of leeches were found on the walls of Egyptian tombs. The use of leeches was widespread in Tsarist Russia, and they are still used for medicinal purposes today. With high efficiency, the technique has virtually no side effects. The versatility of hirudotherapy lies in its local therapeutic effect. But despite the abundance of information about hirudotherapy and the widespread use of this treatment method, there are still many unspoken questions. Let's look at them in more detail.

-Are leeches really disposable?

Are the injections done with disposable syringes or do they use one for several patients? This question sounds funny today. It is quite obvious that no normal doctor would use the instrument repeatedly. Leech is the same syringe. It is grown in a biofactory under sterile conditions and destroyed in a disinfectant solution after use. Another thing is that there is a category of “doctors” who have neither a medical education nor a license for hirudotherapy, who have read medical reference books, picked up “knowledge” in pharmacies and decided that they can treat anything and everything. Such healers go to apartments, receive you, almost in the entrance, saving on your health. These can “work” with one leech for a whole year. Bribes are smooth - change your SIM card and look for fistulas.
Our office was founded in 1996. The license under which we operate is already the third (issued for 5 years). Under licensing conditions: an agreement with a biofactory and constant quality control are required. You can sleep peacefully. Yes, me too.

- Do I need to wait until the leech falls off on its own or are they removed in an organized manner?

The main reason we use leech is its unique enzymes. They enter the bloodstream within the first 15 minutes after sucking on a leech. The next stage is hemorrhage, which is not always useful, and sometimes even harmful. Excessive blood loss, leading to a decrease in hemoglobin, will certainly not benefit the immune system. Therefore, depending on the tasks, the doctor selects the required “holding time” from 15 minutes (Abuladze’s method) to 60 or more.

-How long does blood flow after the procedure and should it flow at all?

Bleeding after leeches can last up to 48 hours, or may not occur at all. Both are the norm. The duration of bleeding depends on many factors: the individual characteristics of the patient (skin type, location of the subcutaneous vascular network, blood pressure, etc.), places where leeches are placed, their type, exposure time and even weather conditions. Bleeding after the procedure is a by-product of hirudotherapy. Yes - good, no - also not bad.

- Why does it hurt in one place, but leeches are placed in another?

A similar question: why, when you have a headache, do you give injections in your butt? The human circulatory system is designed in such a way that blood does not circulate in one place, but constantly flows in from somewhere. The heart is the main pump, large arteries are the main pipeline, capillaries are the final consumers. Therefore, the placement sites are chosen taking into account the anatomy of the great vessels in order to deliver the maximum amount of enzyme to the final consumer, the sore spot. No one would think of watering apples instead of watering the roots of the apple tree! It is also necessary to use acupuncture points. And they are located in the most unexpected places. In general, everything is not very simple. Therefore, when they say to a hirudotherapist: “My grandmother used to catch leeches in a pond and apply them to the sore spot. They drink bad blood and it immediately makes you feel better!” he is attacked by wild laughter because... it is clear that people took the false horse leech (these are the ones that inhabit our reservoirs) and, without observing any rules of asepsis and antiseptics, pump blood out of themselves for no apparent reason, since this does not give a lasting effect (in a day the amount of blood taken will be replenished), but to relieve hypertensive A crisis can also be carried out by bloodletting using a regular syringe.

- Why do you have leeches of different sizes?

We specially order 1.5 and 3 gram specimens for areas with different skin types, with different blood circulation intensity, because... the larger the leech, the more blood it extracts, which is not always beneficial (see above). The amount of enzyme is the same for both one and a half and three grams, only the sizes are different. This is done to ensure that the procedures are easily tolerated, with maximum therapeutic and minimal side effects. So that the patient, during the course of treatment, feels a surge of strength, can work, fully recover, and does not lie with dizziness and purple circles under the eyes.

- How many leeches can be placed in one session?

There is information that the doctor Pirogov, famous in Russia in the 18th century, administered 200 leeches at once. This can be commented on in the words of the poet: “Yes, there were people in our time, not like the current tribe!” For our weakened generation, this “dose” may be the last. The choice of the number of leeches is the prerogative of the doctor. Too little is bad, too much is even worse. The dosage of hirudotherapy is a compromise between the severity of the disease, height, weight, constitution, age, number and combination of possible points, probable blood loss and the state of the immune system. In most cases, this figure ranges from 4 to 10.

- Is it true that leeches drink “bad” blood?

Blood is not divided into bad and healthy. There is arterial blood saturated with oxygen and venous blood without it. Leeches take away stagnant venous blood. A fresh one flows in its place.