Leech Therapy in Modern Treatment

Picture this: You're chopping a steak with a big meat cleaver and—wham!—off comes your right index finger. Picture putting the finger in a jar and taking it with you to the hospital. Now picture a doctor carefully sewing the finger back on, and within hours the finger is blue and swollen with blood. 

Grossed out yet? Good! Because now you can picture sticking a hungry leech on the end of that finger and—presto!—the finger returns to a nice healthy pink. This is one of the leech's greatest talents. When a finger or thumb is reattached, it's relatively easy to hook up the arteries, because they're thicker and tougher. Veins, on the other hand, are fragile and crumple up easily. So, until new capillaries can to re-connect these damaged veins, what you end up with is blood with a one-way ticket into a reattached finger. With no veins to carry it back out, the finger swells up and chokes itself off with blood clots. 

Leeches are ideal in this situation because they suck the blood slowly and steadily. (If you drain the blood too fast, you may as well not have bothered to reattach the finger.) To drain blood at just the right rate without using leeches, surgeons sometimes turn to an even more disgusting (and less effective) procedure that involves ripping off a fingernail and scraping the nail bed raw so it bleeds at a slow and steady rate. Given the choice, most doctors—and patients—opt for the leeches. 

Plus, leeches secrete natural anticoagulants that prevent the blood from clotting. One of these chemicals, hirudin, is so powerful that it's being studied as a possible therapeutic drug for people who have had heart attacks and strokes. These chemicals allow the wound to bleed slowly even after the leech has been removed, while the patient's new veins are still forming. 

Leeches have been used in medicine for over 2,500 years. They were more popular in earlier times because it was widely thought that most diseases were caused by an excess of blood. As recently as the 19th century, leeches were used to treat everything from tonsillitis to hemorrhoids. You can imagine what both of those treatments involved. 

Today, their use is more limited, but in some circumstances, they're still the best option.

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What Are Hemorrhoids?

About 75 percent of people will experience hemorrhoids at some point. Hemorrhoids are varicose (enlarged and swollen) veins around the outside of the anus or in the lower rectum.

The rectum is the last part of the bowel that leads to the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the bowel where fecal matter leaves the body. Sometimes called piles, hemorrhoids are often the result of straining to make a bowel movement.

Lifting heavy objects, along with other activities that may cause straining, can also lead to hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids may be painful, but they are not dangerous or life-threatening. They will usually go away on their own

Hemorrhoid Causes and Risk Factors

There are several known direct causes of hemorrhoids, including:

• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Straining too hard during bowel movements
• Sitting on the toilet for a long time

Factors that raise your risk of developing hemorrhoids include:

• Lack of fiber in the diet
• Obesity
• Aging: as we get older, the connective tissue in the rectum and anus becomes weaker
• Pregnancy: as the fetus grows and puts pressure on the abdomen, the veins in the rectum and anus may become enlarged

Prevention

Preventing constipation by keeping your stool soft and regular is one of the best ways to help prevent hemorrhoids.

The following tips may help you prevent constipation:

• Eat a lot of fiber. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other high-fiber foods such as beans.
• A high-fiber diet can make stools softer and bulkier so that they pass easily. Aim for 25 to 38 grams of fiber each day.
• Consider fiber supplements. If you're having trouble getting enough fiber in your regular diet, consider a fiber supplement such as Metamucil or Citrucel.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Aim for eight glasses of water each day.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise can help keep bowel movements regular.

Other tips for preventing hemorrhoids include:

• Don't strain or hold your breath during bowel movements. Straining can put excess pressure on veins and lead directly to hemorrhoid development.
• Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge.Letting the urge go away can make your stool harder to pass.
• Avoid long periods of sitting. Sitting for too long, especially on the toilet, can stress veins in the anus.

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The Effects of Testosterone on the Body

Testosterone is a vital male hormone that is responsible for the development and maintenance of male attributes. Women also have testosterone, but in much smaller amounts. 

The Effects of Testosterone on the Body

Testosterone is an important male hormone. A male begins to produce testosterone as early as seven weeks after conception. Testosterone levels rise during puberty, peak during the late teen years, and then level off. After age 30 or so, it’s normal for a man’s testosterone levels to decrease slightly every year.

Most men have more than enough testosterone. But, it’s possible for the body to produce too little testosterone. This leads to a condition called hypogonadism. This can be treated with hormonal therapy, which requires a doctor’s prescription and careful monitoring. Men with normal testosterone levels should not consider testosterone therapy.

Testosterone levels affect everything in men from the reproductive system and sexuality to muscle mass and bone density. It also plays a role in certain behaviors.

Endocrine System

The body’s endocrine system consists of glands that manufacture hormones. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, tells the pituitary gland how much testosterone the body needs. The pituitary gland then sends the message to the testicles. Most testosterone is produced in the testicles, but small amounts come from the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. In women, the adrenal glands and ovaries produce small amounts of testosterone.

Before a boy is even born, testosterone is working to form male genitals. During puberty, testosterone is responsible for the development of male attributes like a deeper voice, beard, and body hair. It also promotes muscle mass and sex drive. Testosterone production surges during adolescence and peaks in the late teens or early 20s. After age 30, it’s natural for testosterone levels to drop by about one percent each year.

Reproductive System

About seven weeks after conception, testosterone begins helping form male genitals. At puberty, as testosterone production surges, the testicles and penis grow. The testicles produce a steady stream of testosterone and make a fresh supply of sperm every day.

Men who have low levels of testosterone may experience erectile dysfunction (ED). Long-term testosterone therapy can cause a decrease in sperm production. Testosterone therapy also may cause enlarged prostate, and smaller, softer testicles. Men who have prostate or breast cancer should not consider testosterone replacement therapy.

Sexuality

During puberty, rising levels of testosterone encourage the growth of the testicles, penis, and pubic hair. The voice begins to deepen, and muscles and body hair grow. Along with these changes comes growing sexual desire.

There’s a bit of truth to the “use it or lose it” theory. A man with low levels of testosterone may lose his desire for sex. Sexual stimulation and sexual activity cause testosterone levels to rise. Testosterone levels can drop during a long period of sexual inactivity. Low testosterone can also result in erectile dysfunction (ED).

Central Nervous System

The body has a system for controlling testosterone, sending messages through hormones and chemicals that are released into the bloodstream. In the brain, the hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland how much testosterone is needed, and the pituitary relays that information to the testicles.

Testosterone plays a role in certain behaviors, including aggression and dominance. It also helps to spark competitiveness and boost self-esteem. Just as sexual activity can affect testosterone levels, taking part in competitive activities can cause a man’s testosterone levels to rise or fall. Low testosterone may result in a loss of confidence and lack of motivation. It can also lower a man’s ability to concentrate or cause feelings of sadness. Low testosterone can cause sleep disturbances and lack of energy.

It’s important to note, however, that testosterone is only one factor that influences personality traits. Other biological and environmental factors are also involved.

Skin and Hair

As a man transitions from childhood to adulthood, testosterone spurs the growth of hair on the face, in the armpits, and around the genitals. Hair also may grow on the arms, legs, and chest.

A man with shrinking levels of testosterone actually may lose some body hair. Testosterone replacement therapy comes with a few potential side effects, including acne and breast enlargement. Testosterone patches may cause minor skin irritation. Topical gels may be easier to use, but great care must be taken to avoid transferring testosterone to someone else though skin-to-skin contact.

Muscle, Fat, and Bone

Testosterone is one of many factors involved in the development of muscle bulk and strength. Testosterone increases neurotransmitters, which encourage tissue growth. It also interacts with nuclear receptors in DNA, which causes protein synthesis. Testosterone increases levels of growth hormone. That makes exercise more likely to build muscle.

Testosterone increases bone density and tells the bone marrow to manufacture red blood cells. Men with very low levels of testosterone are more likely to suffer from bone fractures and breaks.

Testosterone also plays a role in fat metabolism, helping men to burn fat more efficiently. Dropping levels of testosterone can cause an increase in body fat. Testosterone therapy can be administered by a doctor via intramuscular injections.

Circulatory System

Testosterone travels around the body in the bloodstream. The only way to know your testosterone level for sure is to have it measured. This usually requires a blood test.

Testosterone spurs the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. And, studies suggest that testosterone may have a positive effect on the heart. But some studies investigating testosterone’s effect on cholesterol, blood pressure, and clot-busting ability have had mixed results.

When it comes to testosterone therapy and the heart, recent studies have conflicting results and are ongoing. Testosterone therapy delivered by intramuscular injection may cause blood cell counts to rise. Other side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include fluid retention, increased red cell count, and cholesterol changes.

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