Flying in space, especially in areas beyond the realms of the Moon and Earth, presents several challenges. The first major issue encountered is the prolonged experience of weightlessness. Space activities in low Earth orbit, especially over short durations, can cause astronauts to experience “space motion sickness“: symptoms such as headaches, sweating, drooling, nausea, and vomiting. Fortunately, these symptoms typically subside once the astronaut returns to Earth.
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| Space travel can lead to bone loss (Image: dox.media2) |
However, there is a much more serious problem to address: space travel can lead to osteoporosis. Human bones adapt to Earth’s gravitational pull, developing a function that counteracts this force. When entering a weightless environment in space, these adaptations are lost, leading to muscle atrophy and a decrease in bone mineral density.
Prolonged weightlessness can cause long-term damage to bones, significantly increasing the risk of fractures. Additionally, the loss of calcium can accelerate bone thinning, potentially resulting in irreversible consequences. The weightlessness experienced also reduces the levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. This reduction weakens various metabolic and immune functions within the body.
These factors collectively contribute to a decline in physical health. Consequently, individuals in space age more rapidly than those on Earth.
