leech.docx

**HISTORY OF LEECH THERAPY** \\ - Leeching is one of the most ancient heeling methods documented in the history of medicines. - Leeches possess biologically active compounds in their secretions,especially in their saliva. According to Hindu mythology,Dhanvanthari, the physician who r...

**HISTORY OF LEECH THERAPY** \\ - Leeching is one of the most ancient heeling methods documented in the history of medicines. - Leeches possess biologically active compounds in their secretions,especially in their saliva. According to Hindu mythology,Dhanvanthari, the physician who revealed the secrets of traditional Indian medicines to the world, held nectar in one hand and leech in the other methods documented in the history O f **DEFINITION**  Leech Therapy is the use of leeches in the treatment of medical conditions.Leeches are carnivorous or blood sucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having two "suckers" one at each end **BENEFITS** - **cAnti coagulating** - **Clot dissolving** - **Vasodilating** - **Bacteriostatic and Anesthetic** - **Anti inflammatory** [ANTI COAGULATING EFFECTS] - The leech's saliva contains enzymes and compounds that act as an anticoagulation agent. "hirudin" which binds itself to thrombins,thus, effectively inhibits **[coagulation of blood]** [CLOT DISSOLVING EFFECT] - **It breaks up any fibrins that have formed** **It has a thrombolytic effect which can also dissolve clots of blood that have formed** [ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS] - [Bdellins is a compound in the leech's saliva that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting trypsin as well as plasmin] - [It inhibits the action of acrosin] - [Another inflammatory agent is the Eglin's.] [VASODILATING EFFECTS] - There are three compounds in the leech's saliva that act as a vasolidator agent- histamine, acetylcholine, carboxypeptides. - All these act to widen the vessels,thus,causing inflow of blood into the site. [BACTERIOSTATIC AND ANESTHETIC EFFECTS] The saliva contains anesthetic substances which deprive the sensation of pain on the site and also bacteria-inhibiting substances which inhibit the growth of bacteria **LEECH THERAPY NOT SUITABLE FOR PERSONS WITH FOLLOWING CONDITIONS** 1. Hemophilia 2. Anticoagulant medication eg: Warfarin,Heparin,Marcumar. 3. Anemia 4. Erosive gastritis 5. Acute stage of infectious disease 6. Severe allergic diathesis 1. Leeches have various proteins in their saliva which have different properties responsible for carrying out the desired medical effect. 2. It acts at different points in the coagulation cascade and prevents blood from clotting by inhibiting conversion of firbrinogen to fibrin. 3. It also inhibits platelet aggregation. The saliva of the leech exhibits analgesic effect and reduce numbness SIDE EFFECTS **COMMON SIDE EFFECTS** - Mild pain - Prolonged bleeding - Itching and reddening of skin around the leech bite. **[RARE SIDE EFFECTS]** - Skin infection - Temporary enlargement of lymph nodes. - Pigmentation disorders - Temporary swelling secrets of traditional Indian medicines to the world, held nectar in one hand and leech in the other