New York, Mar 17: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been in space for almost nine months, are set to return to Earth on March 18 by 6 pm. After spending so much time in space, their bodies have gone through changes. When astronauts stay in space for a long time, it affects their health, and Williams and Wilmore will need time to adjust to life back on Earth.

To overcome these challenges, astronauts do physical exercises in space to keep their muscles and bones active. Once back on Earth, they go through rehab to rebuild strength, balance, and coordination as their bodies adjust to gravity again.

The Health Risks Astronauts Face After Extended Space Missions

‘Baby Feet’ Syndrome

"Baby feet" refers to a condition astronauts experience when they return to Earth after being in space for a long time. In space, there's no gravity, so astronauts don't use their feet as much to stand or walk.

Why Does This Happen?

When astronauts are in space, they don’t walk or put weight on their feet, so the skin on the soles of their feet doesn’t get thick or tough like it does on Earth. After returning to Earth, their feet are very sensitive and soft, which makes walking painful.

Recovery time for astronauts

Recovery varies, but it typically takes several weeks to a few months for astronauts’ feet to regain their toughness.

Understanding the Link Between Bone Density and Muscle Loss

In space, there’s very little gravity, so astronauts' bones and muscles don’t have to work as hard. This causes their bones to lose strength and density over time. In fact, astronauts can lose up to 1% of their bone density each month in space. This makes their bones more fragile and weaker when they return to Earth, where gravity is stronger.

Cardiovascular and Brain Health Issues

In space, the lack of gravity affects the body in several ways. Fluids shift toward the head, causing pressure in the brain, which can lead to vision problems. This condition is called Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS).

The heart also changes shape in space and weakens over time. When astronauts return to Earth, the sudden change in blood flow can cause dizziness, nausea, and fainting.

Radiation and Your Health: Understanding the Long-Term Risks

Astronauts in space are exposed to dangerous radiation that can increase their risk of serious health problems like cancer, heart diseases, and brain issues. On Earth, our atmosphere protects us from this radiation, but in space, there's no shield.

How Astronauts Can Recover Quickly After Space Missions

While space agencies like NASA have developed strategies to counteract these challenges, astronauts must follow strict rehabilitation protocols post-mission. Some measures include:

Gradual Physical Therapy: Doing exercises that put weight on your bones and muscles to rebuild strength and bone density after being in space or immobilized for a while.

Vision Monitoring: Regular eye check-ups to see how the optic nerve is doing and to fix any vision problems that might have occurred.

Cardiovascular Conditioning: Doing controlled exercise to help your heart adjust to Earth's gravity again, especially after being in space.

Dietary Adjustments: Eating foods that are rich in nutrients like calcium, protein, and antioxidants to help repair tissues and support overall recovery.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are about to land after their space mission. Medical experts will carefully watch their recovery to make sure they get back to full health. Their mission shows how tough astronauts are and how space travel affects the human body in complex ways.

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