Space Health: Stranded Astronauts' Long Voyage Raises Concerns

International Space StationWed Nov 06 2024
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In recent days, a photo of astronaut Sunita Williams has sparked worry about her health. She's been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) along with Barry Wilmore since June, after their Boeing Starliner had technical issues. They were initially supposed to stay for just eight days, but now they've been in space for over 150 days. Doctors are especially concerned because Williams looks quite thin in the recent photo. Dr. Vinay Gupta thinks she might be feeling the strain of living at high altitudes for too long, even though they're in a pressurized cabin. He believes she might not be getting enough calories. Our bodies need more energy in space due to cold temperatures and harsh conditions.
The food they're eating, like cold cuts and other high-fat proteins, might not be balanced. This concern comes after a whole NASA crew was hospitalized after spending 200 days on the ISS. One of them even stayed overnight in the hospital, but NASA didn't share details about their health issues. Living in space for a long time can cause muscle loss, so a balanced diet is crucial. While Williams looks cheerful in the photo, her hollow cheeks tell a different story. It's a reminder that even though space travel is exciting, it also has significant health challenges.
https://localnews.ai/article/space-health-stranded-astronauts-long-voyage-raises-concerns-7d8cc26f

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