Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore at risk of space anaemia due to prolonged stay

As NASA delays the return of IndianOrigin Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore to Earth from the International Space Station ISS health experts pointed the risks to the human body because of prolonged stay in microgravityWilliams and Willmore became the first to ride Boeingrsquos Starliner spacecraft on June 5 The eightday mission to the ISS has now extended to more than two months in space for the duo NASA officials have expressed concern that technical glitches on Starliner may pose risks while deorbiting on EarthThe space agency is expected to decide on Starliners safety levels If it deems Starliner unfit the astronaut duo will likely return onboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025However the extended mission is likely to increase their exposure to microgravity and cause space anaemia health experts saidMicrogravity can lower the count of haemoglobin and red blood cells RBCs essential for the transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the bodyldquoIf astronauts develop anaemia during their space missions which could be for long durations there could be a significant impact on their energy strength and endurancerdquo Dr Anoop P Sr Consultant Haematology Paediatric HaematoOncology ampamp Bone Marrow Transplant at Aster RV Hospital Bengaluru told IANSSequestration and haemolysis may be considered as the main causes of space anaemia which means the red blood cells are destroyed prematurely he explainedThe net effect is that more red blood cells are destroyed than produced while in space This condition can critically affect the health of astronauts not only during extended stays in space but also upon their return to Earth the expert saidAs per NASA the human body on Earth creates and destroys about 2 million red blood cells every secondHowever astronauts destroy 54 per cent more RBCs or 3 million per second during sixmonth space missions revealed a 2022 study published in the journal Nature MedicineThe study showed that the effects may be felt only after landing on EarthldquoIn space astronauts may exhibit reductions in blood volume and orthostatic tolerance as well as decreased aerobic capacity and high probability of arrhythmias While the cardiovascular system seems to be working fine under space and the body does not require as much of an effort from the heart still a muscle in microgravityrdquo Dr Irfan Khazi Javeed Consultant Internal Medicine Manipal Hospital Bengaluru told IANSAnoop suggested proper exercise regimens to help maintain the RBC levels regular monitoring of blood parameters during the mission and having access to a diet rich in iron and other essential nutrients that help maintain adequate haemoglobin levels and support the production of red blood cells are the possible solutions that could help enhance their health conditions while on their space missionldquoOngoing studies into the mechanisms of space anaemia are critical as understanding the underlying causes such as increased haemolysis and the impact of microgravity on bone marrow function can lead to the development of targeted therapies and strategies to prevent anaemia during longduration space missionsrdquo he saidWilliams selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 is a veteran of two space missions in 2006 and 2012 Born to IndianAmerican parents she currently also holds the record for the longest time spent in space by a woman 322 daysThe latest mission is expected to create a new record for herAlso Read Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stuck in space How can it affect their health Experts explain