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leech therapy

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 12:25 pm
by Cece
http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_ ... tid=853728
With adequate arterial flow but restricted venous flow, congestion may occur in reattached digits or skin flaps, leading to increased pressure, which can restrict arterial flow and lead to tissue necrosis. Leeches are used to reduce that congestion by removing blood that can't exit via the venous system.
Leeches are used in acute cases of venous congestion, such as after reconstructive surgery. What we may have in CCSVI is chronic venous congestion. But we're also a wild bunch of "sure, we'll try anything, it beats the alternative" types. It could be that application of leeches to the neck and surrounding eye area (but not the eyes themselves) could help. Could it hurt? There is a risk of infection or bleeding.
Leech therapy involves an initial bite, which is usually painless (it's thought that leech saliva contains a mild anesthetic); an attachment period lasting 20 to 45 minutes, during which the leech sucks between 5 and 15 mL of blood; and a postattachment period, during which the site continues to bleed.4, 7 The final stage provides the primary therapeutic benefit; it's caused by components in the leech's saliva, including hirudin, a protein anticoagulant that inhibits thrombin in the clotting process, as well as histamine-like substances that induce vasodilation
Leech therapy is commonly required for three to seven days, or until angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) occurs. Success will be evidenced by changes in the tissue-it will change from a purplish hue to a more normal skin color, from engorged to nonengorged, and from a very fast capillary refill (less than one second) to a more normal one (one to two seconds).12 Once angiogenesis is established, the tissue will have sufficient venous drainage and no longer require therapy. As long as venous congestion persists between leech applications, therapy should continue.
more info: https://wiki.uiowa.edu/display/protocol ... +Protocols
more info: http://www.biopharm-leeches.com/clinical.html
buy leeches: http://www.leeches.biz/buy-leeches.htm
Demi Moore: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... blood.html

Re: leech therapy

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 2:52 pm
by Anonymoose
"Thank you, God, for the life of Bob the leech. He gave his all in promoting the health of Mr. Smith's hand."
Both intriguing and hilarious. Did you really post a "buy leaches" link? lol!

You go first!

Re: leech therapy

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 4:26 pm
by EJC
Reminds me of a British SitCom - Blackadder:-

Edmund: Never had anything you doctors didn't try to cure with leeches. A leech on my ear for ear ache, a leech on my bottom for constipation.
Doctor: They're marvellous, aren't they?
Edmund: Well, the bottom one wasn't. I just sat there and squashed it.
Doctor: You know the leech comes to us on the highest authority?
Edmund: Yes. I know that. Dr. Hoffmann of Stuttgart, isn't it?
Doctor: That's right, the great Hoffmann.
Edmund: Owner of the largest leech farm of Europe.
Doctor: Yes. Well, I cannot spend all day gossiping. I'm a busy man. As far as this case is concerned I have now had time to think it over and I can strongly recommend a [in chorus] course of leeches.
Edmund: Yes. I 'll pop a couple down my codpiece before I go to bed ?

Re: leech therapy

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 4:32 pm
by Cece
If the blood can't get out through our veins, it could get out through our leeches...
but the 'buy leeches' link was definitely for someone else to go first and report back. I also posted the article about Demi Moore's use of leeches in case anyone is swayed by celebrity pixie dust? It's humorous but there is a theoretical basis for the idea. And it hasn't been tried before.

Leeches, helminth worms, and bee stings, oh my? Leeches for venous congestion, helminth worms for immune system modification, bee stings for vasodilation. If you go camping in the right parts of the world, you could encounter all three at once.

EJC, reminds me of the movie, Stand By Me!

Re: leech therapy

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 5:35 pm
by Anonymoose
@Demi story...detox in turpentine? Really? lol Do you think that had something to do with how poorly she felt after treatment?! And it didn't work...she still lost her boy toy. Not ideal supporting evidence of the benefits of leeching. Quick! Edit it out and maybe there will be a better chance that someone else will go first.

EJC, I love British sitcoms! Thanks for a new lead. :) I wonder what Doc Martin would do...

Cece, if your idea takes off I am so going to exploit the masses by selling cute little outfits or maybe bedazzled silicone skins for the leeches that will be hanging off our necks everyday. How many hours a day do you suppose we would have to wear the slimy suckers?

Re: leech therapy

Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 7:16 pm
by Cece
Anonymoose wrote:Cece, if your idea takes off I am so going to exploit the masses by selling cute little outfits or maybe bedazzled silicone skins for the leeches that will be hanging off our necks everyday. How many hours a day do you suppose we would have to wear the slimy suckers?
lol
One of the articles mentioned that you only need one or two leeches. They attach for 20 - 45 minutes, then fall off. But it may continue to bleed for up to ten hours after that. There are anticoagulants in the leech saliva but these would possibly be part of the beneficial effect. So yes, I am suggesting first attaching wildlife to your face and/or neck, then having bleeding wounds for the rest of the day, every day... Yes, bedazzled silicone skins might be nice! You could write the leech's name on the silicone skin so you know who to thank. Or name them all Bob, so the silicone suit could be both personalized and reusable.

Re: leech therapy

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 2:47 pm
by EJC
Anonymoose wrote: EJC, I love British sitcoms! Thanks for a new lead. :) I wonder what Doc Martin would do...
You'll love Blackadder then, Series 4 was my personal favourite.

Each series set in a different time period.

Doc Martin also a favourite of mine.