HIRUDOTHERAPY

HIRUDOTHERAPY, the medicinal leech therapy. The salivary gland secretions of medicinal leeches contain biologically active substances (hirudin, hyaluronidase, destabilase), which prevent blood clotting, activate the immune system, as well as the circulation of blood and lymph, the metabolism. They also possess antimicrobial and healing effects. The treatment is carried out by application of leeches to the body at specific points. H. is indicated for treatment of hypertension disease, varicose veins, inflammatory and stagnant conditions of liver, gallbladder, etc. In Bashkortostan, H. has been used in traditional medicine since olden times. Since the early 1990s, H. is used in healthcare institutions of the republic.