HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
SPACE MEDICINE
Challenges and Achievements
Gravity on Earth has shaped the anatomy and physiology of human beings. Exposure to microgravity has been shown to affect the entire body, causing numerous changes, such as a reduction in heart size and blood volume, disturbances of the neurological system, and decreases in bone density and muscle mass. This paper aims to increase the awareness and understanding of humankind’s final frontier. Thais Russomano, InnovaSpace
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he presence of gravity on Earth has had an integral effect on the development of life over billions of years and shaped the anatomy and physiology of human beings. Exposure to microgravity has been shown to affect the entire body, causing numerous changes, such as a reduction in heart size and blood volume, disturbances of the neurological system, and decreases in bone density and muscle mass. These physiological changes can lead to undesirable health consequences and to operational difficulties, especially in emergency situations.
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A SI A N H O S P I T A L & H EA LT HCAR E M A N AGE M E N T
The growth in private space corporations, the imminent increase in numbers of space tourists, and intentions to prolong the duration and distance of space travel necessitates a greater awareness and understanding of humankind’s final frontier and its potential effects on space travellers. It is vitally important to know more about the characteristics of the space environment and how these affect our health and wellbeing, and anatomy and physiology during spaceflight, including the cardiopulmonary, neuropsychological and muscle-skeleton systems.
IS S UE - 57, 2022
A discussion follows of some of the most notable alterations that take place in the body of astronauts when exposed to the environment of space. The cardiovascular system in space
The removal of all hydrostatic gradients when entering space (microgravity) causes a headward shift of blood and body fluids, resulting in facial oedema and decreased leg volume. This shift is believed to be the primary stimulus for many of the physiological effects of spaceflight, including a reduction in plasma volume, increase in central fluid volume, enlargement of the heart, and an increase in cardiac output on initial exposure to microgravity. However, this is subsequently followed by a decrease in heart size and cardiac output, with a drop in the circulating blood volume as part of the cardiovascular adaptation to microgravity. More recently, neurovascular changes (Spaceflight Associated NeuroOcular Syndrome - SANS) and decreased venous blood flow in veins in the upper body have been identified.
