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Clinical trial assessing leech therapy for eczema management.

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Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: A clinical trial for evaluation of leech application in the management of վ (Eczema)
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:

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Author:

K.M. Pratap Shankar, S. Dattatreya Rao, Shaik Nafeez Umar, V. Gopalakrishnaiah


Ancient Science of Life:

(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)

Full text available for: A clinical trial for evaluation of leech application in the management of վ (Eczema)

Year: 2014

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Eczema, known as in Ayurvedic medicine, poses significant psychological, social, and financial burdens on patients and their families. Traditional treatments involving antibiotics, antihistamines, and corticosteroids often lead to relapses and complications. The study aims to explore an alternative treatment approach through leech therapy, leveraging its historical precedence in Ayurvedic practice, to evaluate its efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of eczema with the help of standard clinical assessment tools like the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Efficacy of Leech Therapy

The findings from the leech therapy study demonstrate a marked reduction in symptoms associated with . The trial involved 27 patients who underwent four sessions of leech application, with measurable improvements observed in established clinical parameters. Results indicated a significant decrease in EASI scores by 54.45% and SCORAD Index scores by 55%, with the quality of life measured by DLQI showing an improvement of 62.36%. These results underscore the therapeutic potential of leech therapy in managing eczema, highlighting its role in reducing inflammatory symptoms such as erythema, oozing, and lichenification, while improving the overall quality of life without noting any adverse effects.

Conclusion

Leech application emerges as a promising treatment modality for chronic eczema, offering significant relief from symptoms typically associated with . Given that conventional treatments often lead to recurrences and complications, this study advocates for the integration of leech therapy in Ayurveda for managing inflammatory skin disorders. The observed benefits, paired with safety during the treatment and follow-up period, suggest that leech application could be a viable alternative or adjunctive therapy in dermatological practice, warranting further exploration in broader inflammatory conditions.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the aim of the leech application study?

The study aims to assess the efficacy of leech application in managing (eczema) using clinical parameters like Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis Index, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

What were the key findings from the leech application treatment?

The treatment showed significant reductions in EASI score (54.45%), SCORAD Index (55%), and improved patients� quality of life (DLQI) by 62.36%, indicating that leech application effectively alleviates symptoms of eczema.

How was the leech application therapy conducted in the study?

The therapy involved a minimum of four sittings with leech applications at seven-day intervals. Patients were evaluated before and after treatment using standardized scoring methods to measure symptom relief and improvement.

What complications or adverse reactions were reported during the study?

No adverse reactions or complications were reported throughout the study, indicating that leech application is a safe treatment method for patients suffering from (eczema).

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Clinical trial assessing leech therapy for eczema management.�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Vicarcika:
վ refers to a specific type of eczema or dermatitis in Ayurvedic medicine. It is characterized by symptoms such as intense itching, oozing, and discoloration of the skin. Understanding վ is relevant for both diagnosis and treatment within traditional medicine frameworks, reflecting the complexity of skin diseases.

2) Quality:
Quality, in the context of the study, refers to the standard of life experienced by patients suffering from eczema. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) measures this quality, indicating the psychological and social impacts of skin disorders. Effective treatments aim to improve patients' overall quality of life.

3) Substance:
Substance in this context points to the various biochemical agents released by leeches during bloodletting therapy. These substances, including hirudin and hyaluronidase, possess anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making leech therapy a useful alternative for chronic skin conditions like eczema.

4) Water:
Water plays a crucial role in the leech therapy process, as leeches need to be kept in water for vitality. Additionally, patients' skin is cleansed with water before leech application, serving as an essential preparatory step for the therapy to ensure effectiveness and safety.

5) Blood:
Blood is central to the concept of leech therapy, as the goal is to perform controlled bloodletting to alleviate symptoms of diseases such as վ. The removal of vitiated blood is thought to help in restoring balance and promoting healing, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine.

6) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
The term antibiotic in this study relates to the ability of leech saliva to reduce bacterial activity, contributing to the healing process in skin disorders. The presence of antibiotics in leech therapy provides an added therapeutic advantage for treating infections associated with eczema.

7) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Āܰ岹 is the ancient Indian system of holistic medicine focusing on balance among mind, body, and spirit. It offers a unique perspective on health, integrating physical, mental, and environmental factors into the treatment of conditions such as eczema through natural means.

8) Shodhana (Sodhana):
Śǻ󲹲Բ refers to purification processes in Ayurveda aimed at detoxifying the body. In the context of treating skin disorders, Śǻ󲹲Բ often involves bloodletting techniques like leech therapy, believed to cleanse vitiated substances that cause skin diseases such as վ.

9) Itching:
Itching, or kaṇḍu in Ayurveda, is a primary symptom of վ. Its severity can significantly affect a patient's quality of life, prompting the need for effective management strategies. Understanding and alleviating itching is crucial in treating eczema through appropriate therapeutic interventions.

10) Science (Scientific):
Scientific refers to the objective methodologies employed to investigate leech therapy's effectiveness on վ. This term underscores the necessity of empirical evidence to substantiate traditional practices, ensuring that treatments are based on verifiable data supporting their therapeutic claims.

11) Rakta:
Rakta, meaning blood in Sanskrit, is considered a vital component in Ayurveda. It is associated with various diseases, including skin disorders like վ. Concepts of Rakta duṣti (blood impurity) underlie treatment strategies focusing on bloodletting and cleansing therapies in Ayurvedic practices.

12) Shalya (Salya):
Shalya, a term closely associated with surgical interventions in Ayurveda, emphasizes the importance of invasive techniques like leech therapy. Recognizing shalya's significance expands the understanding of how surgical and medicinal practices can converge in traditional healthcare systems.

13) Edema (Oedema):
Edema is the swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues and is a common manifestation of eczema. The presence of edema can exacerbate discomfort in patients with վ, making it pivotal to address this symptom in treatment plans.

14) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the various practices aimed at maintaining health and treating disease. In this context, it highlights the significance of both traditional (Ayurvedic) and modern medicinal approaches to managing eczema, particularly through innovative treatments such as leech therapy.

15) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a procedure performed on used leeches to expel the sucked blood before reusing them. This practice ensures hygiene and prevents infection, which is essential in leech therapy for skin disorders, paralleling the need for careful management of medical equipment.

16) Turmeric:
Turmeric is a medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In the context of leech therapy, turmeric is used to prepare leeches and prevent infections post-treatment. Its applications reflect Ayurveda’s holistic approach of using natural substances for healing.

17) Kshudra (Ksudra):
ṣu refers to minor or lesser ailments within Ayurveda. վ, categorized under kṣudra rope (skin disease), emphasizes the importance of not overlooking apparently minor conditions that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and require effective management.

18) Reason:
Reason pertains to the logical justification for employing leech therapy in treating eczema. Balancing traditional wisdom with scientific evidence generates a compelling rationale to explore alternative treatments, enhancing patient outcomes and expanding the understanding of chronic skin conditions.

19) Ranga (Ramga):
Ranga, short for Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, provides a backdrop for the statistical methodologies applied in this study. Its role in data analysis signifies the academic collaboration between Ayurvedic practice and data science, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare.

20) Ulcer:
Ulcers in the context of skin conditions refer to superficial open sores that may arise from untreated infections or skin diseases. Understanding how eczema and ulcers interact underscores the importance of timely and effective therapeutic interventions in dermatology.

21) Dosha (Dosa):
ٴṣa are the three fundamental energies in Ayurveda, believed to govern physiological functions. An imbalance of these doshas is thought to trigger various diseases, including eczema, and is crucial for diagnosis and treatment strategies in traditional healthcare systems.

22) Hand:
In Ayurveda, the hand can symbolize the practitioner’s skill in applying treatments such as leech therapy. The metaphor extends to the patients' experience as they cope with conditions like eczema, reflecting the hands-on nature of Ayurvedic medicine.

23) Madhavanidana (Madhava-nidana):
󲹱-ԾԲ is an ancient Ayurvedic text that provides detailed descriptions of various diseases, including վ. Utilizing such classic references enhances credibility in diagnosis and treatment plans, showcasing the richness of traditional knowledge in contemporary health practices.

24) Raktamokshana (Raktamoksana, Rakta-mokshana):
鲹ٲǰṣaṇa, or bloodletting, is a common therapeutic intervention in Ayurveda intended to purify the blood. The practice is rooted in treating skin diseases like վ, demonstrating the historical significance of this method in managing chronic conditions effectively.

25) Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis is a significant infectious disease affecting respiratory health. Understanding its exclusion criteria within the leech therapy study emphasizes the importance of patient safety and tailored treatment approaches in managing coexisting health conditions with skin disorders.

26) Dhanvantari (Dhanvamtari):
Dhanvantari is described as the god of Ayurveda, representing healing, wellness, and the dissemination of medicinal knowledge. His association with leeches emphasizes the long-standing historical significance of leech therapy in Ayurvedic practices for various ailments, particularly skin disorders.

27) Kshudraroga (Kshudra-roga, Ksudraroga):
ṣu-roga encompasses minor diseases in Ayurveda, including skin ailments like վ. Recognizing such conditions highlights their potential severity in impacting quality of life, leading to the importance of effective treatments like leech therapy in managing chronic skin disorders.

28) Discussion:
Discussion serves as the analytical framework for interpreting research findings. In the context of this study, it provides insights into the efficacy of leech therapy for eczema, facilitating a broader understanding of its implications within both traditional and modern healthcare paradigms.

29) Swelling:
Swelling or edema in skin disorders like eczema results from inflammation and fluid accumulation. Recognizing its role in symptoms allows for targeted treatment strategies in both Ayurvedic and modern approaches, aiming to alleviate discomfort and restore skin integrity efficiently.

30) Vitiation (Vitiated):
Vitiated refers to the disturbed or imbalanced state of doshas in Ayurvedic medicine, contributing to health issues. This term is crucial for understanding the pathological processes behind diseases, including eczema, where vitiated blood is treated through methods like leech application.

31) Pravara:
Pravara indicates superior or high-quality constitutions in Ayurveda. Understanding a patient’s pravara helps in customizing treatments, ensuring that therapies, such as leech application for eczema, align with an individual's inherent strengths and weaknesses, fostering more effective healing strategies.

32) Leprosy:
Leprosy, an infectious disease affecting skin and nerves, poses significant health risks. Understanding its exclusion from the leech therapy study highlights the need for careful patient selection, ensuring the therapy's appropriateness and safety for conditions like eczema without complications.

33) Vyadhin (Vyadhi):
ղ translates to disease in Sanskrit within Ayurveda. Understanding this term expands awareness of the multifaceted nature of health conditions like eczema, guiding both diagnosis and treatment decisions by interpreting a disease's etiology and symptoms through Ayurvedic principles.

34) Nidana:
Բ pertains to the diagnostic framework within Ayurveda, identifying the causes and manifestations of diseases. Understanding nidāna is essential for developing effective treatment strategies for conditions like վ, ensuring that therapies target the root causes of the disease.

35) Kushtha (Kustha):
ṣṭ in Ayurveda refers to skin diseases, encompassing various classifications of dermatological disorders. Recognizing its scope highlights the complexity of conditions like վ, informing treatment plans aimed at addressing not only symptoms but also underlying imbalances in the body.

36) Satva (Shatva):
Satva represents the mental and emotional aspect of health in Ayurveda. Its balance is essential for overall wellness, indirectly affecting physical health, including skin conditions like վ, where emotional well-being plays a pivotal role in treatment outcomes.

37) Karma (Karman):
Karma refers to the actions and their consequences impacting health in Ayurveda. Understanding karma encompasses current and past actions that shape an individual's health, highlighting the importance of lifestyle choices in managing conditions such as eczema effectively.

38) Kandu (Kamdu):
ṇḍ signifies intense itching in the context of skin ailments like eczema. It is one of the key symptomatic concerns for patients with վ, making its relief a primary goal in therapeutic strategies that include leech application.

39) Shyava (Syava):
Ś屹 refers to discoloration often associated with skin conditions like eczema. Noticing this symptom is essential in diagnosis and treatment, allowing practitioners to understand the severity and nature of ailments such as վ, guiding targeted interventions.

40) Horse:
The horse symbolizes the leeches� characteristic posture during feeding, which is reminiscent of a horse's shape when elevated. This imagery reinforces the understanding of leech behavior and highlights their significance in therapeutic applications for conditions like eczema.

41) Ruja:
Ruja translates to pain, often accompanying skin conditions like eczema. Addressing pain as a symptom is vital for a comprehensive treatment approach, impacting patients� overall well-being and effectiveness of therapies like leech application that target such symptoms.

42) Roga:
Roga indicates the presence of disease in Ayurveda. Understanding roga guides diagnosis and treatment planning for conditions like վ, emphasizing the importance of identifying both symptoms and underlying imbalances to achieve effective health outcomes.

43) Bahu:
Bahu indicates abundance in Ayurvedic terminology, often used to describe multiple doshas or symptoms in a state of imbalance. Recognizing bahu is essential in identifying the complexity of conditions like վ, ensuring a holistic approach to treatment.

44) Bala:
Bala signifies strength or vitality within Ayurveda. It refers to both physical strength and the robustness of an individual’s constitution. Addressing bala is crucial in customizing therapies, such as leech application when treating conditions like eczema.

45) Tvak:
Tvak translates to skin in Sanskrit, the primary organ involved in conditions like վ. Understanding the properties and functions of tvak is critical for ensuring that treatments, including leech application, effectively target and heal skin ailments.

46) Raji:
refers to lichenification or marked skin changes commonly seen in chronic skin conditions. Recognizing rāji is important in assessing the severity of վ, guiding appropriate treatment interventions aimed at restoring skin health and resilience.

47) Rice (Rce):
Rice is used in the leech therapy procedure as a dusting agent to encourage leeches to vomit sucked blood for reuse. This practice is significant for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the effective use of leeches in therapeutic settings.

48) Salt (Salty):
Salt acts as a detachment agent for leeches once they have completed their blood-sucking. Understanding its role exemplifies the importance of hygiene and patient safety during leech therapy, ensuring that the process is both effective and sanitary.

49) Post:
Post in this context relates to the postoperative care and procedures following leech application. Ensuring proper aftercare is crucial for healing and minimizing complications, emphasizing the significance of attentive management in therapeutic practices.

50) Drug:
Drug refers to any substance used for medical treatment. In the context of this study, the efficacy of leech therapy is compared to conventional medications for eczema, demonstrating the need for evaluating alternative treatments in managing chronic skin conditions.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: �Clinical trial assessing leech therapy for eczema management.�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Skin disease, Leech application, Ayurvedic system, Statistical analysis, Clinical trial, Bloodletting therapy, Operative procedure, Chronic skin condition, Eczema Area and Severity Index, Postoperative procedure, Dermatology life quality index, Safety precautions, Preoperative procedure, Patient evaluation, Risk factor, Anti-inflammatory substances.

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