Astronauts suffer from back pain due to gravity
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Astronauts in the nature of their activities have long been in space, in unusual conditions for humans. The latest study showed that in the weightlessness of the back muscles atrophy, which affects even a few years after the return to earth.
The doctors noted that many astronauts complained of back pain, and the painful sensations could be disturbing during and after the space travel. To find out the reasons for the astronauts' pains, specialists decided to survey 3 crew members from the National Space Exploration Agency (NASA). Each of the subjects spent at the space station for 3 to 7 months. The specialists performed magnetic resonance imaging three times - once before the return, the second after this and the last time in 1-2 months after returning from the station. As a result, it was found that microgravity did not affect the intervertebral discs, but the near-vertebral muscles underwent significant changes. The scientists noted that under weightless conditions, the mass and area of the muscles became much smaller, perhaps this factor influences the growth of astronauts (as is known, growth in man increases in space). Experts also said that even after a short time after returning from space, the muscles are not restored, but as far as it is dangerous for the general human health, scientists can not say yet, for this it is necessary to conduct a number of studies. At this stage, experts believe that to avoid problems with the back of astronauts will help special exercises. This is the focus of the work of scientists - they will have to develop a set of exercises that will help support the muscles of the back in tone even in conditions of weightlessness.
It is worth noting that problems with the back are just some of the problems that astronauts have to face in the process of long space flights. Physicians have already reported earlier about the insecurity of cosmic radiation, which penetrates through any surface and provokes a disorder of brain activity and dementia. Another research team found out that space travel negatively affects the heart. Specialists noted that virtually all participants in the Apollo program suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
But, despite the disappointing conclusions of scientists, flights to outer space will not be stopped. In one of the aerospace corporations, specialists are developing a technique for immersing astronauts in sleep to make long flights to other planets. By the way, this study is funded by the NASA space agency.
It became known that scientists intend to immerse astronauts in stasis - a state that resembles a bear hibernation. Such measures are necessary, scientists believe, since flights can take quite a long time, from several months to several years.
The new technique will be tested on astronauts who will fly to Mars, i.e. To overcome 55 million kilometers. From
According to calculations, the flight to Mars should be quite expensive, only food for the entire journey is needed more than 10 tons, and the space module for the flight will weigh about 30 tons. But dive comic travelers into a state of stasis will make the flight cheaper, because it will reduce the area and weight of the comic ship, as well as cut costs for food (meals are planned to be introduced to astronauts intravenously).
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