The oral apparatus of a leech. What leeches can treat? The structure and life cycle of leeches
The long-awaited report from the leech farm. You will learn how leeches live in captivity, what they eat, how they reproduce. For the first time, we were able to capture unique footage of the birth of a leech in natural conditions and in captivity.
Five pairs of eyes were intensely watching the water column, all the senses were aimed at finding the victim. For more than three weeks, in search of food, one has to move from one corner of the reservoir to another. Even repeated attacks on land did not bring desired result. Sad thoughts overcame the vampire. Blood and only blood... “Well, you can hold out for another three months, but if happiness does not smile, you will have to emigrate to a nearby reservoir; they say that cattle come there to drink...” A splash was heard somewhere, another, a third - the steel muscles tensed. The vampire determined the source of the vibrations and directed his body towards the victim with smooth wave-like movements. There she is! light, warm body, and how little wool, if only not to miss. The vampire spread his huge mouth, bared three terrible jaws with the sharpest teeth, and dug into the victim... A heartbreaking cry resounded the water surface of the reservoir.
01.
02. Today we will tell you about International Center medicinal leech, created on the basis of the association "Medpiyavka", formed in 1937, which was engaged in keeping leeches in artificial ponds of the holiday village Udelnaya (Moscow region). 
03. At 2500 sq. m. there are production facilities for growing more than 3,500,000 medicinal leeches and the production of cosmetic products. 
04. In total, 400 species of leeches are known to science, which look approximately the same and differ mainly in color. Leeches are black, greenish or brownish. Russian name These nimble worms indicate their ability to "dig into" the victim's body and suck out blood. 
05. Leeches live in three-liter jars. Nothing better as a house for them came up with. The leech breeder must ensure that the vessel with leeches is constantly closed with a thick white cloth, which is tightly tied. 
06. Leeches are unusually mobile and often tend to crawl out of the water. Therefore, they are able to easily leave the container in which they are stored. Escapes occasionally happen. 
07. A leech has 10 eyes, but the leech does not perceive a complete image. Despite the seeming primitiveness of the sensory perception of leeches, they perfectly orient themselves in space. Their sense of smell, taste and touch are extraordinarily developed, which contributes to their success in finding prey. First of all, leeches respond well to odors emanating from objects immersed in water. Leeches do not tolerate foul-smelling water. 
08. Unhurried, devoid of sharp movements allow you to see the entire body of a leech. On the back, against a dark background, bright orange blotches form a fancy pattern in the form of two stripes. On the sides - black piping. The abdomen is delicate, light olive in color with black edging. The body of an ordinary medical leech consists of 102 rings. On the dorsal side, the rings are covered with many small papillae. On the ventral side, the papillae are much smaller and less visible. 
09. But behind the harmless external beauty of a leech lies its secret weapon - the front sucker, outwardly invisible. A large, intimidating rear sucker does not cause any physical damage, but in the depths of the front, jaws lurk, geometrically located according to the sign of the prestigious company in the automotive world - Mercedes. In each jaw, there are up to 90 teeth, a total of 270. Here it is - deceit. 
10. The record for the largest size of a leech grown in this center is 35 centimeters in length. The leech in the photo still has everything ahead. 
11. Bitten by a leech - like a nettle stung. The bite of the same horsefly or ant is much more painful. Leech saliva contains painkillers (analgesics). The leech feeds exclusively on blood. Hematophagus, that is, a vampire. 
12. The epidermal layer of the leech is covered with a special film - the cuticle. The cuticle is transparent, it performs a protective function and continuously grows, being periodically updated in the process of molting. Normally, molting occurs in leeches every 2-3 days. 
13. Dropped films look like white flakes or small white cases. They clog the bottom of the vessels for storing used leeches, and therefore must be removed regularly, and the water is also periodically stained from digestion products. Water is changed twice a week. 
14. Water is specially prepared: it settles for at least a day, it is purified from harmful impurities and heavy metals. After cleaning and passing control, the water is heated to the desired temperature and enters the common network for leeches. 
15.
16. Leeches poop up to several times a day, so the water in the vessel where the used leeches are stored is periodically stained. The clogging of water that occurs from time to time does not cause any harm to leeches if the water is systematically changed. 
17. The most important condition for the rapid cultivation of full-fledged medicinal leeches is their regular feeding with fresh blood, which is purchased from slaughterhouses. 
18. Large clots are used, formed during the coagulation of the blood mass. For the full feeding of leeches, only the blood of healthy animals, mainly large and small, is taken. cattle. Clots are placed at the bottom of special vessels, where leeches are then released. 
19. To make it pleasant for leeches to eat, a film is laid on them, which they bite through and suck blood out of habit. 
20. During growth, the leech feeds every one and a half to two months. 
21. After the leeches have grown and starved for at least three months, they are collected in a batch and sent for certification, and then they go on sale or are used in the production of cosmetics. The Center has an accredited laboratory of the quality control department. But more on that tomorrow. 
22. For one feeding, a leech sucks out five times its weight, after which it may not eat for three to four months, a maximum of a year. After eating, the leech looks like a solid muscle bag filled with blood. In her digestive tract there are special substances that protect the blood from putrefaction, which preserve it in such a way that the blood always remains complete and stored for a long time. 
23. A leech usually eats up in 15-20 minutes. A sign that the leech is full, foam appears. 
24. Well-fed leeches are trying to escape from the "dining room". 
25. Yum-yum! 
26. After feeding, the leeches are washed. 
27. And they put it back in the jar. 
28. 
29. And they wash the dishes. 
30. 
31. Leeches communicate with each other extremely rarely, only during the mating period. And then, most likely, out of necessity, so as not to die out. Suitable for reproduction, that is, carefully fattened and reached given dimensions leeches are called queens. 
32. They are placed in pairs in jars filled with water and stored in special rooms where optimum temperature an environment that supports the activity of leeches and their reproductive abilities. Copulation and laying of cocoons with eggs occur in leeches at an environmental temperature of 25 to 27 °C. And although each individual carries both masculine and feminine(hermaphrodites), she cannot satisfy herself in this intimate matter and is looking for a partner. 
33. mating season, during which mating takes place, takes about 1 month, after which the leeches are seated in the queen cells - three-liter jars. Wet is placed at the bottom of the mother liquor peat soil, representing a favorable environment for medical leeches and their cocoons. Soft moss sods are lined over the peat, which regulate soil moisture. The queens move freely on the moss, in which they feel comfortable, and gradually dig into the peat. 
34. Leeches practice different positions in which copulation is carried out. There are 2 main positions that make biological sense. First position: the front ends of the bodies of copulating leeches are directed in one direction. The second main position: the ends of the bodies are opposite, that is, they look in different directions.
35. The peat is thoroughly washed so that the leeches are damp and comfortable. 
36. 
37. By light rings, you can identify a pregnant leech and plant it in a jar of peat. 
38. Breaking through a shallow passage in the soil, the leech lays a cocoon in it, from which the threads are subsequently removed - this is the name of the leech growers of small young leeches. Their mass reaches a force of 0.03 g, and the body length is 7-8 mm. Filaments are fed in the same way as adults. 
39. Each mother leech lays on average 3-5 cocoons, each of which contains 10-15 fry. 
40. After a while, the cocoons become like soft foam balls. 
41. It can be seen through the light that fry are sitting inside the cocoon. 
42. And here are unique birth shots. The leech leaves the cocoon through a hole in the end. 
43. 
44. The first minutes of the life of a small leech.
45. And this is how they are born in the conditions of the center. The cocoons just burst. 
47. As shown by laboratory studies, the average life expectancy of a leech is 6 years. How long wild individuals live, scientists do not know for certain, although it is possible that there are long-livers among leeches.
Tomorrow at the same time there will be a story about how leeches are killed to help people. What happens to a leech after it has sucked blood from a person? How are these cute worms tortured? How to make leech powder and much more!
Text:
The book of D.G. Zharov "Secrets of hirudotherapy"
The Kiss of the Vampire book. Authors: Nikonov G.I. and Titova E.A.
In Latin hirūdō find the same suffix as in testūdō"tortoise", however, the etymologization of the root causes difficulties. As possible relatives are called hīra"small intestine" and haruspex"haruspex".
Structure
body length different representatives varies from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters. Most major representative - Haementeria ghilianii(up to 45 cm).
The anterior and posterior ends of the body of leeches bear suckers. At the bottom of the anterior there is a mouth opening leading to the pharynx. Proboscis leeches (detachment Rhynchobdellida) the pharynx is able to move outward. In jaw leeches (for example, medicinal leeches), the oral cavity is armed with three movable chitinous jaws that serve to cut through the skin.
Food
Biology of the body
The body is elongated or oval, more or less flattened in the dorsal-abdominal direction, clearly divided into small rings, which in number 3-5 correspond to one segment of the body; numerous glands in the skin that secrete mucus; at the posterior end of the body there is usually a large sucker, often at the anterior end there is a well-developed sucker, in the center of which the mouth is placed; more often, the mouth is used for suction. At the anterior end of the body there are 1-5 pairs of eyes arranged in an arc or in pairs one after the other. Powder on the dorsal side above the rear suction cup. Nervous system consists of a two-lobed supraesophageal ganglion, or brain, connected to it by short commissures of the subpharyngeal node (derived from several merged nodes of the abdominal chain) and the abdominal chain itself, located in the abdominal blood sinus and having about 20 nodes. The head node innervates the sense organs and the pharynx, and 2 pairs of nerves depart from each node of the abdominal chain, innervating the body segments corresponding to them; the lower wall of the intestine is equipped with a special longitudinal nerve that gives branches to the blind sacs of the intestine. The digestive organs begin with a mouth armed with either three chitinous toothed plates (maxillary P. - Gnathobdellidae), which serve to cut through the skin when sucking blood in animals, or a proboscis capable of protruding (in proboscis P. - Rhynchobdellidae); numerous openings into the oral cavity salivary glands, sometimes emitting a poisonous secret; the pharynx, which plays the role of a pump during sucking, is followed by an extensive, highly extensible stomach, equipped with lateral sacs (up to 11 pairs), of which the posterior ones are the longest; the hindgut is thin and short. Circulatory system partly consists of real, pulsating, vessels, partly from cavities - sinuses, representing the remainder of the cavity (secondary) of the body and interconnected by annular channels; blood in proboscis P. is colorless, in jawed - red due to hemoglobin dissolved in the lymph. Special organs breathing are available only in the river. Branchellion, in the form of leaf-like appendages on the sides of the body. excretory organs arranged according to the type of metanephridia, or segmental organs annelids, and most P. have a pair of them in each of the middle segments of the body. P. - hermaphrodites: the male genital organs consist of most of the vesicles (testes), a pair in 6-12 middle segments of the body, connected on each side of the body by a common excretory duct; these ducts open outwards with one opening lying on the ventral side of one of the anterior rings of the body; the female genital opening lies one segment behind the male and leads into two separate oviducts with saccular ovaries. Two individuals copulate, each simultaneously playing the role of a female and a male. P. during laying of eggs allocates with glands lying in the genital area, thick mucus surrounding the middle part of P.'s body in the form of a cover; eggs are laid in this sheath, after which P. crawls out of it, and the edges of its holes come together, stick together and thus form a capsule with eggs inside, usually attached to the lower surface of the algae leaf; the embryos, leaving the facial membrane, sometimes (Clepsine) keep for some time on the underside of the mother's body. All P. are predators, feeding on the blood of mostly warm-blooded animals or mollusks, worms, etc.; they live mainly in fresh waters or in damp grass, but there are marine forms (Pontobdella) as well as terrestrial forms (in Ceylon). Hirudo medicinalis- medical P. up to 10 cm in length and 2 cm in width, black-brown, black-green, with a longitudinal patterned reddish pattern on the back; the belly is light gray, with 5 pairs of eyes on the 3rd, 5th and 8th rings and strong jaws; distributed in the swamps of the South. Europe, South. Russia and the Caucasus. In Mexico, Haementaria officinalis is used in medicine; another species, H. mexicana, is poisonous; in tropical Asia, living in moist forests and in the grass Hirudo ceylonica and others related species causing painful bleeding bites to humans and animals. Aulostomum gul o - horse P., black-green in color, with a lighter bottom, has a weaker armament of the mouth and therefore unsuitable for therapeutic purposes; most common view all in. and central Russia. Nephelis vulgaris - a small P. with a thin narrow body, gray color, sometimes with brown pattern on the back; equipped with 8 eyes located in an arc at the head end of the body; related to her original Archaeobdella Esmonti, Pink colour, without rear suction cup; lives on a silt bottom in the Caspian and Seas of Azov. Clepsine tessel ata - Tatar P., with a wide oval body, greenish-brown in color, with several rows of warts on the back and 6 pairs of triangular eyes, located one after the other; lives in the Caucasus and Crimea, where it is used by the Tatars for medicinal purposes; the transitional place to the order of bristle-legged (Chaetopoda Oligochaeta) worms is occupied by Acanthobdella peledina, found in Lake Onega.
History of medical use
Medical leech ( Hirudo officinalis) - found in the north of Russia, so especially in the south, in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, in Poti, Lankaran. In the 19th century, leeches were a profitable export item: Greeks, Turks, Italians, and others came to the Caucasus for them. In addition, artificial breeding of leeches was carried out in special pools or parks according to the Sale system in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pyatigorsk and Nizhny Tagil. Based on the laws in force, catching leeches during their breeding season - in May, June and July - is prohibited; when fishing, only those suitable for medical use should be selected, that is, not less than 1 1/2 inches in length; leeches are small, as well as too thick, should be thrown back into the water when catching. To supervise the observance of these rules, the provincial medical departments are entrusted with the duty to testify the stocks of leeches from barbers and other merchants who trade them. Since medicine expelled leeches from use, the leech trade has fallen completely.
Notes
Sources
- Ruppert E.E., Fox R.S., Barnes R.D. Invertebrate zoology. Vol. 2: Lower coelomic animals. M., "Academy", 2008.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .
- Semipalatinsk region
- Kunduz
See what "Leech" is in other dictionaries:
leeches- (Hirudinea), a class of annelids. Length from several mm up to 15 cm, rarely more. Descended from small-bristle worms. The body is usually flattened, rarely cylindrical, with two suckers (oral and posterior); consists of a head blade, 33 rings ... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary
leeches- LEECHES, a class of worms. Length 0.5-20 cm. Body usually flattened, with 2 suckers. About 400 species live in fresh and marine waters. Most leeches are bloodsuckers, the salivary glands of which secrete the protein substance hirudin, which prevents ... ... Modern Encyclopedia
leeches- class of annelids. Length 0.5-20 cm. They have front and back suction cups. 400 species. In fresh and marine waters. Most leeches are bloodsuckers whose salivary glands secrete hirudin, which prevents blood clotting. Medical leech ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
leeches- (Hirudinei) detachment of the class of annelids. The body is elongated or oval, more or less flattened in the dorsal-abdominal direction, clearly divided into small rings, which in number 3 5 correspond to one segment of the body; Numerous glands in the skin... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron
According to morphological features, it is rather difficult to classify this organism. External structure leeches (the photo below shows it) resembles that of slugs, which are representatives of molluscs. In fact, leeches are annelids.
The external structure of a leech
The maximum length of this worm reaches 15 cm. The body structure of the leech is characterized by the presence of suckers, which are located at both ends of the body. The ventral side is always flat, and the dorsal side has a convex shape.
Leeches are attached to the substrate with one or the other suction cup. Thus, they carry out "stepping" movements. Leeches are excellent swimmers. Due to the wave-like bending of the body, they can overcome considerable distances.
Where do leeches live
Features of the structure of leeches and the way they feed determine the habitat of this. They prefer fresh water: swamps, lakes, small rivers and even puddles. One of necessary conditions for leeches - it's cleanliness. They breathe oxygen dissolved in water. Inside the body, it penetrates through the integument of the animal. And this process is most productive in clean water.
Some species live on land. They burrow into moist soil, clay, moss. But without the presence of water, their life is impossible, since they are not adapted to breathing atmospheric air.
Diversity
On the this moment taxonomists know 400 species of leeches. The most common of them are ground, fish, lozhnokonskaya. But of all the diversity, only one species has medicinal properties. This is a medical leech.
The structure of a medical leech has its own characteristics. Thereby this species easy to distinguish from "not curative". Her body is dark green. On the dorsal side, which is darker, narrow orange stripes are clearly visible. There are black spots in their extensions irregular shape, the number of which varies widely.
The integument of the medicinal leech is smooth. They do not have hairs, bristles or other outgrowths. The body is flattened in the dorso-abdominal region, almost flat. It consists of 33 segments. The number of rings is small - up to five. The front suction cup is used for feeding. The back is much larger. It is used to attach to the substrate and move.
The integument is represented by the cuticle. This substance is inextensible. Therefore, the growth process is accompanied by periodic molts.
The internal structure of a leech
The active movement of these annelids is possible due to the developed muscular system. It is represented by four layers of fibers. Thanks to the outside, blood is swallowed. Movement in space is provided by diagonal and deep longitudinal layers. The contraction of the body is the result of the work of the dorsal-abdominal muscles. Outside, the fibers are covered with a dense layer of connective tissue.
The structure of the leech is characterized by increased sensitivity of the integument. She is able to perceive a whole range of sensations: temperature and pressure drops, the influence chemical substances. There are five pairs of eyes on the head. They are composed of pigmented photosensitive cells. Due to such a variety of receptors, leeches easily navigate in space, find food for themselves and respond to changes in the environment.
The nervous system of annelids is of the ganglionic type. It consists of an abdominal chain, which forms a knot in each ring of the body. From here, nerve fibers depart to each organ.
Digestive system of the through type. It begins with a mouth opening with jaws, passes into a muscular stomach and intestines, which opens outward with an anus. Numerous nephridia belong to. Urine is excreted through the nephropores. Symbiotic bacteria constantly live in the stomach of leeches. They have bactericidal properties, keep the sucked blood liquid, digest it.
All leeches are hermaphrodites. This means that male and female gametes are formed in each individual. Despite this feature, these animals are incapable of self-fertilization. A new organism develops as a result of mating of two individuals.
Beneficial features
In medicine, the structure of a leech and its practical use studies a separate science - hirudology. The beneficial properties of this organism have been known since ancient times. Back in the 5th century BC, they were described in his writings by the ancient Greek scientist Hippocrates.
The widespread use of leeches in medical purposes contributed to the theory of "bad blood". She dominated in the 17-18 centuries in Europe. In this regard, the method of bloodletting was widely used. Doctors used tens of millions of leeches a year for this purpose.
Over time, this theory was recognized as erroneous. The use of leeches has practically ceased. And only in the 19th century beneficial features were scientifically substantiated.
What is hirudin
Officially, the therapeutic effect of leeches was confirmed by the English scientist John Haycraft. In the blood of these rings he found chemical compound which has an anticoagulant effect. It is to prevent blood clotting and the formation of blood clots.
The substance hirudin possesses such properties. It stands out in salivary glands leeches and is a natural heparin. In nature, it is also found in bee venom and some snakes. Currently, artificially synthesized hirudin has been created. However, compared to natural, its effectiveness is several times lower.
By chemical nature, this substance is a polypeptide chain, which consists of amino acid residues. It stops the activity of the thrombin enzyme, thereby stopping blood clotting.
The action of hirudin extends to the blood, which is in digestive system leeches. It can be stored for a long time in special expansions of the intestines. If necessary, this can continue up to six months. Therefore, the leech can eat again after a long period of time.
Mechanism of action
Leech bites stimulate the human immune system. How is this possible? Hirudin causes the secretion of blood lymph. As a result, the lymph nodes are irritated, and lymphocytes begin to stand out. These are blood cells that have a protective effect - they increase local and general immunity.
The body perceives such a situation as a threat. Therefore, it is mobilized protective functions. The ability of phagocytic cells to digest foreign microorganisms increases dramatically.
Hirudotherapy is used to reduce and normalize blood pressure. Moreover, the result is stored for several days.
The ability of leeches to break down lipids is also widely used, which significantly reduces the manifestation of signs of atherosclerosis. This activity is used as a means to combat cellulite.
But the importance of leeches in the fight against blood clots is especially great. This is due to the fact that hirudin interrupts some of the links in the process of their formation. But if blood clots have already formed, this substance contributes to their gradual dissolution. As a result, vascular patency is normalized.
As a result
The leech, the structure of which we examined in our article, is a representative of the type Annelids. The habitat of these animals is fresh water and wet soils. Leeches have long been used for medicinal purposes. Their salivary glands contain a special substance - hirudin. Its main property is to prevent blood clotting and the formation of blood clots inside the vessels.
Animals of the Leech class have the following traits:
The body is flattened in the dorsal-abdominal direction;
The presence of oral and posterior suckers;
Absence of setae on the integument of the body, which are represented by an inextensible cuticle;
All representatives are hermaphrodites with a direct type of development;
Leeches belong to the subclass of annelids, which in turn belong to the class of belt worms. On the Latin leech sounds like "hirudinea" (Hirudinea). Around the world there are about 500 species of leeches, in Russia there are about 62 species.But for treatment, only a medical leech is used. Among medical leeches, there are two subspecies:
Medicinal leech (Hirudina medicinalic)
Apothecary leech (Hirudina officinalic)
Color. May vary from black to reddish-brown. Abdomen motley. The sides are green with an olive tint.
The size. About 3 - 15 cm - length, about 1 cm - width.
Lifespan. Up to 20 years.
Habitat. Found mainly in Africa, Central and Southern Europe and Asia Minor. In Russia, they are not so numerous, they mainly spread to the south of the European part of the country. Although there is evidence that individual individuals of the species were found in the southern and eastern parts of Siberia.
They love fresh clean water- lakes, ponds, quiet rivers, as well as damp places near the water - clay shores, wet moss. Leeches live in stagnant water - running water is unfavorable for them.
Lifestyle and behavior. Most The medical leech spends time hiding in thickets of algae, hiding under snags or stones. This is both a cover and an ambush.
Leeches love warm sunny weather and even tolerate heat quite well, it is in these conditions that they are most active. They are also not afraid of drought - they either crawl away from a drying up reservoir, or dig deeper into the coastal silt. Leeches are capable for a long time stay on land in hot and humid weather.
With the deterioration of conditions (lower air temperature, windy weather), medical leeches become lethargic and passive. Leeches overwinter by burrowing into coastal silt or bottom soil. Frosts are detrimental to them.
The body of the leech is greatly flattened and elongated when swimming, and the posterior sucker acts as a fin. With wave-like movements, the leech moves in the water.
For medical leeches, an instant reaction to external stimuli is quite characteristic: smell, temperature, splash.
A hungry leech can be recognized by the characteristic position of the body - it sticks to a plant or stone with its back suction cup, while the front one makes circular movements.
Enemies: Muskrat, water rat, shrews, bugs, dragonfly larvae.
Food. As food, medical leeches use the blood of worms, mollusks and vertebrates, and in their absence they can eat insect larvae, ciliates, mucus aquatic plants. The leech bites through the skin of the victim and sucks out a small amount of blood, about 10-15 ml. Having satiated, the leech can remain without food for quite a long time - an average of six months, since the blood in its body is digested slowly. However, it was noticed record time fasting, which amounted to 1.5 years.
Reproduction. The medicinal leech is a hermaphrodite. Leeches begin to lay eggs during the warm period, approximately two weeks before the end of August or in mid-September. With unfavorable weather conditions this period comes earlier or is delayed.
In the process of reproduction, the leech crawls out onto land, digs a small depression in the silt, then a special department of medical leeches, buy medical leeches, buy leeches in Perm, buy leeches in Perm, the cover of a leech - a girdle - secretes a foamy cocoon in which eggs are laid. This cocoon contains albumin, a protein that serves as food for embryos. The egg incubation period is about two months.
Newborn medicinal leeches are transparent and resemble adults, they still spend some time in a cocoon, feeding on albumin, but soon crawl out. Small leeches that have not reached puberty attack tadpoles, snails, frogs.
If a leech does not drink the blood of a mammal within three years from the moment it emerges from the cocoon, it will never reach puberty.
All more people are interested in alternative treatment, which has been known since ancient times - hirudotherapy. Treatment with leeches does not require the use of medications, but the effect of it can be significant.
We will talk about how a treatment session is carried out, what diseases can be dealt with in this article.
The effect of leeches on the body
The diverse composition of leech saliva provides the benefits of leech treatment at home. The body has a complex effect the following elements in saliva:
- hirudin is involved in improving blood circulation, has an analgesic effect;
- apyrase is effective against atherosclerotic plaques;
- destabilase has a positive effect on the processes of thrombosis;
- hyaluronidase is involved in the resorption of scars;
- thanks to eglins it decreases inflammatory process in tissues;
- bradykinins have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Organization of a hirudotherapy session
To provide best contact leeches with the human body, on the eve of the session, you should refuse to take a bath with soap that has a strong aroma, you should not use deodorants.
Attachment points must be processed. This is done immediately before the procedure. Shave the hairline, wash the skin warm water with unscented soap. It is necessary to wipe the skin with special cotton swabs.
The skin in the places of future attachment must be treated with a glucose solution. Then the leech is placed in a test tube. Her tail should be pointing down. The test tube is applied to the body area.
When the leech has sucked, the test tube is removed, and a piece of cotton wool is applied to the tail to prevent the second sucker from attaching.
The session continues until the worm detaches itself after full saturation. This can happen up to an hour after the start of the procedure. To disconnect the leech, they bring cotton wool with alcohol to it. After that, using tweezers, it must be placed in a container and poured with a special solution.
Apply the worm only once.
The effect of treatment with leeches is significant, but it is important to monitor the condition of the wounds. Immediately after the session, they are covered with a bandage of cotton and gauze. Bleeding may continue for days. In this case, the bandage must be changed. A day later, the wounds are treated with iodine and covered with a bandage for several days.
If the bleeding has not gone away, then it is necessary to treat the wound with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide and cover it with a bandage for several days.
Indications and contraindications for treatment with leeches
With the help of hirudotherapy, you can get rid of problems such as:
- heart disease and vascular problems;
- problems in the field of gynecology and urology;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic disorders;
- ENT diseases and eye diseases;
- deviations of the thyroid gland and nervous system;
- spinal problems and joint disorders.
Also, with the help of such treatment, you can normalize the immune system and improve the body as a whole. This confirms the enormous benefits that a person receives from hirudotherapy.
At the same time, before starting the procedures, you should consult with your doctor. It is better not to participate in such sessions in case of blood clotting disorders, severe anemia, the presence of bleeding and allergic reactions, and cachexia.
Also, 12-15 hours after the third procedure, the patient may experience itching, swelling, and fever. Lymph nodes can also increase, well-being worsens, which is typical of 80-85% of people. These are normal phenomena that are the result of the action of the immune system.
The therapeutic effect of hirudotherapy
Leech therapy has positive effect in many diseases, but their use in different cases is individual.
Treatment of cardiovascular disorders
Of particular importance in general therapy is the treatment of blood vessels with leeches. They are used to combat diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, ischemic stroke, hypertension, thrombosis, etc. They also produce a preventive effect by cleansing the circulatory system.
With their help, you can normalize metabolic processes, remove harmful substances and toxins. The location of the leeches on the body is determined by the doctor based on the results of the research.
Prevention of varicose veins
If you have varicose veins, treatment should be started as soon as possible. But the procedures must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist who can correctly determine the scheme where to put the leech.
As a rule, worms are placed on the principle of a chessboard. They cannot be placed on a vein or nodes. It should be placed at a distance of 2 to 10 cm from the vein.
Due to blood thinning, dissolution of blood clots, itching and irritation go away. The walls of blood vessels are also strengthened.
Use in gynecology
Leeches can be an effective remedy for infertility caused by endometriosis, adhesions, inflammation, etc.
The woman is recovering hormonal background, immune system, blood circulation. This contributes to the establishment of reproductive function.
Treatment of joints and spine
Hirudotherapy can help eliminate many problems with the spine. Also, leeches are effective in the treatment of arthritis, arthrosis, sciatica, joint problems. There is an improvement in blood circulation and the elimination of congestion, spasms. Patients can get rid of cervical osteochondrosis, headaches, insomnia.
We talked about the main positive properties of hirudotherapy and the effect that it has on the human body. However, before starting a course of treatment, you should always consult with your doctor.
Photo of the treatment process with leeches
