Of the bloodletting is one of the oldest healing methods. A considerable amount of blood is withdrawn here.
What is bloodletting?
In the past, bloodletting counted (Phlebotomy) one of the most common therapeutic measures used in numerous treatments. It was widely used as a remedy until the 19th century.
Nowadays, bloodletting, in which a large amount of blood is drawn from the patient, is only considered beneficial in a few cases. For this reason it is rarely used nowadays. In colloquial language, blood sampling for the purpose of taking blood or donating blood is also regarded as bloodletting.
In earlier times, bloodletting was considered an all-purpose remedy. Blood sampling was used for a wide variety of diseases, but this not infrequently led to damage in the patient. Some sick people sometimes literally bled to death. George Washington (1732-1799) was one of the most prominent bloodletting patients.For example, a severe laryngitis was treated by bloodletting, which was carried out several times. The enormous blood loss of the first American president was considered a possible reason for his demise.
Bloodletting can be traced back to early Indian medicine. Bloodletting is still carried out in Ayurveda today. In Europe, the treatments were carried out by the Greek physician Hippocrates (460 to 370 BC). At the time, doctors assumed that the diseases were mostly caused by an excess of blood. The same was true of an imbalance in body fluids. It was believed that the blood accumulated and spoiled in the limbs. Therefore, the removal of the bad blood was considered useful.
In 1628 the Englishman William Harvey (1578-1657) discovered the blood circulation and thus refuted the principles of bloodletting. Nevertheless, bloodletting remained in use as a treatment method. The therapy method was recommended until the 19th century.
Function, effect & goals
Although bloodletting is rare these days, there are a number of diseases that can be effectively treated with it. Bloodletting is particularly valued in natural wedge science and alternative medicine, where it is one of the drainage treatments.
With the help of bloodletting, the self-healing powers of the organism are to be strengthened. The body creates new blood cells that replace missing cells. The new cells work better than the previous blood cells. The positive properties of bloodletting are the increasing uptake of oxygen, the improved flow properties of the blood, the more efficient work of the immune system and the stimulation of detoxification.
As a supportive therapy method, bloodletting is recommended by alternative medicine for the treatment or prevention of diabetes mellitus (diabetes), inflammation, circulatory disorders, high blood pressure, gout and obesity. However, there are hardly any scientific studies that confirm the health-promoting effects of bloodletting. So the few studies turned out differently. As positive was u. a. the decrease in blood pressure, which dropped by 16 mmHg.
But bloodletting is also used in conventional medicine, even if only rarely. These include, for example, rare diseases such as polyglobulia, in which the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) increases, polycythemia vera (PV), which is associated with high hemocrit levels, and the iron storage disease hemochromatosis, in which the intestine absorbs excessive amounts of iron. This in turn leads to an overload of the heart and liver. To carry out the bloodletting, blood is usually drawn through the arm vein within the elbow.
Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor will either take a small amount of blood between 50 and 150 milliliters or a large amount, which can be up to 500 milliliters. The patient's blood reaches a collecting vessel via a tube, which is usually a vacuum glass bottle. Except for a small sting, the patient does not feel any pain. In total, the procedure takes no more than five minutes. The doctor also regularly checks the patient's blood pressure.
A special variant is the Japanese bloodletting, which is also known as Shirako or micro bloodletting. In this procedure, the therapist pricks varicose veins on the lower leg with a lancet or knife. This treats blood congestion associated with stretching of the blood vessels.
Another form is the bloodletting according to Hildegard von Bingen, which is offered by various alternative practitioners. The aim is to rid the body of “bad blood” or toxins.
Risks, side effects & dangers
Basically, bloodletting is not considered risky if it is carried out properly. Thorough examinations in advance and the determination of laboratory values such as the blood count are important. In some cases, however, health problems can still arise.
If the blood pressure is too high or too much blood is drawn, there is a risk of dizziness, circulatory problems and fainting. By puncturing the skin, it is again possible for harmful bacteria to enter the body and cause inflammation. However, this side effect can usually be avoided through careful hygiene. If too much blood is withdrawn, there is a risk of iron deficiency.
There are also some contraindications which, if present, do not allow bloodletting. These are acute diarrhea, anemia (anemia), pathologically low blood pressure and dehydration. In children and the elderly, attention should be paid to general physical weakness.
