Leech Therapy: A Therapeutic GEM

Sheikh Uzma Farooq; Aditya Sharma

Abstract

Leech, Genus Hirudo, and therapeutics species: Hirudo medicinalis is an amphibious worm, 10 cm in length and is usually black or brown in color. It has three jaws with about 100 tiny teeth and a posterior sucker. The leech’s salivary secretions contain many bioactive chemicals, among which the most potent is Hirudin. The therapy involves bite by the leech, followed by attachment for duration of 15 to 45 minutes. The leech sucks 5 to 15 ml of blood and detaches from the site. In many cases, it is followed by period of bleeding which needs to be monitored. The leech therapy can leave a scar at the site of the application. The beneficial therapeutic effects are anticoagulation and vasodilation. It has been used for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, pain of osteoarthritis, also have been used as palliative therapy for Diabetic patients. It is nowadays also used for reconstructive surgeries.

Abstract

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