Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS
PBS Discussions
Discussion Forums on pbs.org
 
 SearchSearch   RegisterRegister   ProfileProfile   Ignore ListIgnore List   Log inLog in 

Leeches
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.    PBS Discussions Forum Index -> NOVA ScienceNOW: Stories 2008 Flat
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
NOVA scienceNOW4



Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 50
Location: Boston

PostPost subject: Leeches    Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:36 am Reply with quote Add User to Ignore List

Just the thought of them may make you squirm, but leeches could help you medically someday, as they have thousands of others. When a leech bites you, it releases several medically beneficial chemicals into your bloodstream: a powerful anticoagulant, which prevents blood from clotting; a vasodilator, which increases blood flow; and a spreading factor, which quickly transports the other two chemicals to where they’re needed. Through “artificial circulation,” leech therapy can help keep someone’s reattached finger or other appendage alive while the patient grows new veins. So… if doctors said such therapy could help you in this kind of situation, would you allow them to attach leeches to your wound?
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Subject Author Date/Time
Leeches NOVA scienceNOW4 Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:36 am
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.    PBS Discussions Forum Index -> NOVA ScienceNOW: Stories 2008

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum