Hirudotherapy has a rich history of more than two thousand existence. And in our country was collected a great experience of application of this method in different spheres of medicine.
Hirudotherapy (curative application of medical leeches) differs from other methods and preparations by the fact that the effect comes as a result of generation of a complicated complex of organism reactions due to influence of live leeches. Besides bloodletting, it inserts a great number of biologically active substances. Induced reactions have both local and general character and may be defined by initial state of skin and deeper layers of tissue in the zone of suction location. A proper choice of suction location is a determinant factor for getting a clinical effect. The choice should depend on a character and stage of disease, presence of concomitant pathology, and a patient"s state. One of the important factors is ability to apply leeches properly and in the right location.
Multipronged influence of a leech gives an opportunity to use the method of hirudotherapy for treatment of wide range of diseases.
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cardiovascular diseases (hypertensive disease, ischemic diseases of heart, stroke prophylaxis, trombophlebitis, varicose veins, trophic ulcer)
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gynecological disorders (acute and chronic inflammatory process, hysteromyoma, endometriosis, sterility)
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urinological diseases (chronic prostatitis, prostate adenoma, chronic pyelonephritis)
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neurological diseases (osteochondrosis radicular syndrome, circulation-free encephalopathy, neuralgia and neuropathy)
Besides, multipronged influence of a leech removes edemas, has a drainage effect, restores microcirculation, and serves as a powerful adjuvant. It is important to mention that the method of hirudotherapy is not so easy to apply as it may seem at first sight. Using this method a physician should perfectly know Human Anatomy, have an individual approach to each patient, and take into consideration all the diseases, physical and mental state of a patient. Provided all these factors it is possible to achieve the best effect from the method, prevent potential complications, and make sure that wound bleeding on the place of suction will not harm a patient during a period of 24 hours. So only a competent choice of a treatment scheme for a certain patient will be effective. This method may not be prescribed as usual pills – “a pill/ three times a day” – it needs a highly skilled specialist who may apply the method properly. This or that effect on the human organism depends on a chosen technique of hirudotherapy application and selection of suction location.