Space Medicine: As we’ve seen,
space is not a friendly environment for the human body, and astronauts face some of the leading health challenges.
The physical requirements of space travel and habitation in microgravity contexts are hazardous to astronauts' health. Thus, it becomes paramount when humans plan to engage in more extended space missions, such as travelling to Mars, to reduce the adverse effects of these health issues. Some key space medicine issues astronauts face include: Some key space medicine issues astronauts face include:
Muscle and Bone Loss..
When astronauts go to space, there is no pull of gravity to keep their muscles and bones as they would on Earth; hence, they lose mass. Weightless individuals in space can experience a muscle loss of 8-10% per day, and this loss extends to as much as 20% if the astronauts fail to exercise. Their muscles are also flooded with different proteins, which change their composition. Astronauts also do not get to put their weight on their bones even if they are lying down; they lose 1-2 % of bone mass monthly; when they return to Earth, they are at risk of having osteoporosis and kidney stones. Techniques to mitigate this muscle and bone loss can help form the core of space medicine research.
Exposure to Radiation :
So, in environments beyond the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic shield, astronauts are exposed to much higher levels of solar and cosmic radiation, which makes them more vulnerable to radiation sickness, cancer, nervous system disorders, and other afflictions associated with degenerative diseases.
Cosmic radiation is viewed as one of the primary dangers experienced in long, deep space missions. Research is also being conducted on superior shielding measures and antidotes that help to overcome the effect of damage caused to the cells.
Visual Impairment:
This is evidenced by the fact that adaptation pressure variation in the head causes many astronauts' eyesight and farsightedness to change. Another significant field of space medicine is the impacts and ways to prevent astronaut vision loss and the study of these effects and countermeasures.
Immune System Compromisation:
Research has indicated that astronauts are actually in a position to experience a weakened immunity while in space. Thus, microgravity, radiation exposure, stress, and disruption of the circadian rhythms adversely impact the astronauts' immune cell populations. Viruses are also easily spread since astronauts are contained in closed spaces within the spacecraft or habitat. It is important to understand that methods to enhance or maintain immune status before and during space travel are needed to prevent crews from getting sick
Since space agencies are now aiming for long-duration manned space flight, the development and ongoing investigation of these and other issues of space medicine must remain the focus to safeguard those who travel to deep space. Addressing the multiple problems associated with health in space will be crucial in achieving the potential of long-term exploration and settlement of space.
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