After 286 days in space, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore return to Earth, where they encounter health issues brought on by microgravity.
After 286 days in orbit, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have returned to Earth. Their problems could not end there, though, as the harm that space travel does to the human body can make it challenging to acclimate to Earth.Along with astronauts Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore made their way down to Earth on a SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle. Both of them were transported right away for medical examinations on reclining stretchers after their capsule smashed down off the coast of Tallahassee.
Following a prolonged period in space, astronauts may experience the following physical changes.
decrease of muscle mass, bone density, and baby feet
In microgravity, an astronaut's bones and muscles function differently, which might make it challenging to stand, walk, or grip objects once they return to Earth.
The spine lengthens in space because it is not subject to the same gravity as it is on Earth, temporarily increasing height. On the other hand, bone degeneration accelerates as cells that form bone tissue slow down and those that harm bones keep growing normally. Because there is no longer any force from gravity, muscles also start to deteriorate.
An astronaut's weight-bearing bones weaken and become more brittle every month in space as they lose 1% of their density. Astronauts eventually acquire "baby feet," a condition that causes you to lose the thick part under your feet, making it difficult to walk, as calluses thin and the body becomes less accustomed to using the muscles and bone in the legs.
Bird-legs syndrome with puffy head
Extended space travel also affects the human heart, brain, and circulatory system. Fluids from the remainder of the body have a tendency to go upward toward the head under microgravity.
The legs lose fluids as a result of this fluid redistribution, which also causes nasal congestion, face puffiness, and elevated intracranial pressure. As a result, the head appears larger and the legs appear weaker. The term "puffy-head bird-legs syndrome" refers to this phenomenon.
Hearing loss, vision loss, and a condition called Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), which is brought on by increased pressure on the brain, can also result from an increase in fluid in the brain.
The circulatory system is harmed by muscular atrophy, which narrows blood arteries and causes the oval-shaped heart to become round in space. When astronauts return to Earth, their blood volume decreases, which can lead to dizziness, nausea, and fainting episodes as well as difficulty controlling blood pressure.
Even while conditions like baby feet, facial puffiness, bone density loss, etc. might be excruciating and incapacitating, they can be cured with time, exercise, and medication. More significant health hazards, however, are associated with a few long-term physical changes that astronauts experience.
Constant dangers
Astronauts are exposed to high levels of solar radiation while in space, which can have a serious negative impact on their long-term health by increasing their risk of developing cancer, degenerative diseases, and central nervous system problems. Sunita Williams would have received radiation exposure equivalent to about 270 chest X-rays in nine months.
This can raise the risk of osteoporosis and make recovery more challenging, especially when combined with decreased immune function and bone density loss.
NASA said in a 2019 study called the Twins Study that although the majority of human genes reset when they return to Earth, roughly 7% of them are still affected by the experience.
Many facets of an astronaut's mental health can also be permanently changed by space travel. Astronauts are more susceptible to mental health issues including anxiety and depression as well as cognitive impairment because of their solitude, stress, and disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms (internal body clock).
Even while conditions like baby feet, facial puffiness, bone density loss, etc. might be excruciating and incapacitating, they can be cured with time, exercise, and medication. More significant health hazards, however, are associated with a few long-term physical changes that astronauts experience.
Constant dangers
Astronauts are exposed to high levels of solar radiation while in space, which can have a serious negative impact on their long-term health by increasing their risk of developing cancer, degenerative diseases, and central nervous system problems. Sunita Williams would have received radiation exposure equivalent to about 270 chest X-rays in nine months.
This can raise the risk of osteoporosis and make recovery more challenging, especially when combined with decreased immune function and bone density loss.
NASA said in a 2019 study called the Twins Study that although the majority of human genes reset when they return to Earth, roughly 7% of them are still affected by the experience.
Many facets of an astronaut's mental health can also be permanently changed by space travel. Astronauts are more susceptible to mental health issues including anxiety and depression as well as cognitive impairment because of their solitude, stress, and disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms (internal body clock).
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