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Anaemia in astronauts could be a challenge for space missions

Published

2 years ago

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Anaemia in astronauts could be a challenge for space missions

Humanity’s next “giant leap” could be a trip to Mars, but getting enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells for the journey could present challenges, new research suggests.

Even space tourists lining up for short trips may have to stay home if they are at risk for anemia or a lack of red blood cells, the researchers said.

Astronauts have been known to experience “space anemia,” but until now it was considered temporary. A NASA study called it “the 15-day disease.”

Doctors attribute it to the destruction or hemolysis of red blood cells, which is caused by changes in fluids as the astronaut’s body adapts to weightlessness and readjusts to gravity.

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In fact, anemia is “the main effect of going to space,” said Dr. Guy Trudell of the University of Ottawa, who led a study of 14 astronauts funded by the Canadian Space Agency. “As long as you’re in space, you destroy more blood cells than you make.”

Normally, the body destroys and replaces nearly 2 million red blood cells every second. Trudell’s team found that astronauts’ bodies destroyed 3 million red blood cells per second during the six-month mission. “We thought we knew about space anemia, but we didn’t,” Trudell said.

Astronauts produced extra red blood cells to compensate for the destroyed red blood cells. But, Trudell asks, how long can the body continue to produce more than 50 percent of its red blood cells? NASA estimates that the mission to and from Mars will take about two years.

“If you’re on your way to Mars…you can’t keep up” with the need to produce all these extra red blood cells, “you could be in serious trouble,” Trudell said.

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When your body is weightless, the reduction in red blood cells in space isn’t a problem, he added. But after landing on Earth, and possibly on other planets, anemia could affect astronauts’ energy, stamina and strength.

A year after returning to Earth, the astronauts’ red blood cells had not fully returned to their pre-flight levels, his team reported Friday in the journal Nature Medicine.

Trudell also looked at the effects of immobility in patients who were bedridden for weeks or months.

He said the new findings mimic what he sees in patients, suggesting that what happens in space can also happen to patients with reduced mobility.

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Patterns of behaviour that emerge after trauma

Published

12 months ago

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May 8, 2023

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Patterns of behaviour that emerge after trauma

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can leave a lasting impact on a person’s mental and emotional health. It can result from a range of events, such as natural disasters, accidents, physical or emotional abuse, or military combat. Trauma can have a significant effect on a person’s behavior and can manifest in various ways. Here are some patterns of behavior that often emerge after trauma:

  1. Hyperarousal: After experiencing trauma, a person may feel constantly on edge, with heightened levels of anxiety and tension. This can manifest as irritability, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
  2. Avoidance: Trauma can also cause a person to avoid situations, people, or places that remind them of the traumatic experience. This can lead to social withdrawal, isolation, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.
  3. Emotional numbness: Trauma can cause a person to feel emotionally disconnected or numb, making it difficult for them to experience positive emotions such as joy or love.
  4. Hypervigilance: A person who has experienced trauma may be hyper-aware of their surroundings and perceive threats where none exist. This can lead to an increased sense of danger, which can trigger anxiety or panic attacks.
  5. Flashbacks: Trauma can cause a person to experience vivid and intrusive memories of the traumatic event. These flashbacks can be triggered by a range of stimuli, such as sights, sounds, or smells.
  6. Guilt and shame: Trauma can cause a person to experience feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame. They may feel responsible for what happened to them, even when it was beyond their control.
  7. Substance abuse: Trauma can lead to the use of drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with difficult emotions. This can quickly become a self-destructive pattern of behavior that exacerbates the trauma.

It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will display all of these behaviors, and that each person’s response to trauma is unique. However, recognizing these patterns of behavior can help individuals and their loved ones identify when trauma may be a contributing factor to mental and emotional health challenges. Seeking professional support, such as therapy or counseling, can help individuals process their trauma and learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage their behavior.

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