Extended missions in space have brought to light new health problems for astronauts like Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Prolonged exposure to the harsh environment of space is causing significant problems, including space anemia, which poses serious risks to their health.
Aftereffects of space radiation
Space radiation, consisting of high-energy particles, presents one of the greatest challenges. This radiation can cause DNA damage and mutations, which can lead to potential genetic disorders. In addition, it contributes to oxidative stress, which negatively affects red blood cells. In space, the human body experiences accelerated destruction of red blood cells – around 3 million per second, compared to 2 million per second on Earth. This increase translates into a 54% higher rate of red blood cell destruction during a typical six-month mission.
Space anemia has been observed in astronauts returning to Earth since the very beginning of space exploration. Our research now reveals that red blood cell destruction begins as soon as astronauts enter space and continues throughout their mission.
The RBC effect
The phenomenon is attributed to changes in fluid distribution under microgravity conditions, which affects the production and lifespan of red blood cells. Astronauts experience a loss of up to 10 percent of their blood volume, exacerbating the problem. This ongoing destruction of red blood cells, or hemolysis, is a critical issue that researchers are striving to address to ensure astronauts’ well-being on extended missions.
As space exploration moves toward long-duration missions, understanding and mitigating the effects of space anemia and other health complications will be crucial to safeguarding the health of future space travelers.
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