Bone mass decreases & The human heart changes shape in space & Sleeping well in space is not likely
Bone mass decreases
The possibility of losing bone mass is closely linked to the possibility of losing muscle mass when travelling through space. First, regular weight-bearing exercise is good for bones just like it is for muscles, according to Healthline, but there aren't enough opportunities for it. Both the muscular and skeletal systems suffer as a result of microgravity's effect on the body's ability to move in space. NASA says that it has also been noticed that human bones may undergo chemical changes in space that cause measurable bone loss.
An astronaut will, on average, lose 2% of their bone mass for every month spent in "zero gravity", according to the organization. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism behind this is still a mystery. It is well-known and easy to observe that being in space causes the bones to lose calcium, which is then broken down and released into the bloodstream, where calcium levels significantly rise.
"The most severe loss" occurs "between the second and fifth months in space, although the process continues throughout the entire time spent in microgravity", according to NASA, which states that space-related bone loss begins almost immediately. In a portion of the most pessimistic scenarios, researchers have noticed space explorers who have lost as much as 20% of their pre-space bone mass. Fortunately, upon returning to Earth, the majority of this loss can be recovered
The human heart changes shape in space
NASA explains that "the cardiovascular system, which includes both the heart and blood vessels, has evolved to operate in Earth's gravity while standing, sitting, or lying down" and that the absence of gravity in space can have a negative impact on the human heart. While working or exercising against gravity, daily physical activity ensures that everything runs smoothly. However, fluid shift-related changes to the heart are not the only ones that may occur as a result of space travel.
According to NASA, "the heart changes shape in microgravity from an oval (like a water-filled balloon) to a round ball (like an air-filled balloon)". Furthermore, the heart is a muscle and is, in this manner, subject to similar decay as one's glutes and deltoid. Because of this, a heart that has been in space for some time might not be able to control blood flow in the right way. At the time of this writing, research is being conducted at the International Space Station to develop "countermeasures to the many possible different cardiovascular changes" and learn more about how being in space may affect the human heart
Sleeping well in space is not likely
Everybody knows the significance of getting sufficient, high-quality rest, and this is no less pertinent in space than it is on the planet, as per a recent report distributed in the diary of Military Clinical Exploration.
According to the study's authors, sleep problems could impair the work performance of crew members and their health, which could ultimately influence the safety of [space] flight missions. There are numerous factors that can disrupt sleep in space, and they can be grouped into several of the five general dangers of space travel: isolation, closed environments, lack of gravity, and gravity.
For instance, prolonged exposure to microgravity has the potential to directly disrupt the optimal distribution of body fluids. This, in turn, can result in many issues that can affect sleep, including congestion and pain like headaches (via Science in the News). Some astronauts have reported having trouble sleeping in a closed environment because of the warm temperature and loud noise. Isolation can make things worse or worsen mental or behavioral problems that make it hard to get a good night's sleep.
According to a 2018 study, space also lacks all "circadian clues", such as when the sun rises and sets, which would otherwise help the body maintain a healthy internal clock. "Circadian rhythm disorder may be an important cause of orbital sleep disturbance for astronauts", the authors added
Comments
Post a Comment