The entire world is currently celebrating the safe return of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams. The Ohio-based astronaut along with her fellow Butch Wilmore, went on a eight-day test flight of Boeing Starline, but a series of unexpected events made their spacecraft unsafe for return. It soon turned into a nine-month-long stay at the International Space Station (ISS). Now that Williams has touched the Earth, she will be facing a lot of physical difficulties which are mentioned below.
Physical Problems Sunita Williams Will Face On Earth
1. Struggle To Stand
After spending months in microgravity, Sunita William’s bones are likely to lose their density. Thus, making her unfit to stand on the ground. This can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis.
2. Week Muscles And Cells
After experiencing microgravity for nine months, surviving on Earth can be difficult for Sunita due to the damage done in space travel. She will find difficulty in standing and holding on to things as bones operate differently in microgravity.
In space, the spine elongates, resulting in a transient height rise, while bone-building cells slow down. This frequently leads to bone degeneration, which ultimately weakens the muscle. As the bones lose density, astronauts weaken and grow baby feet.
3. Puffy-Face, Bird-Legs Syndrome
The fluid distribution in space changes dramatically and moves upward, resulting in facial puffiness, nasal congestion, and increased pressure on the skull. On the other hand, the legs lose fluid. As a result, the legs appear small while the head appears large, a condition known as puffy-head bird-leg syndrome.
4. Hearing Loss
Because the fluid flows upwards in the space, the chances of it accumulating in the brain are higher. All this can lead to vision as well as hearing loss. This added pressure on the brain can lead to Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome.
Also Read: From Diet To Health Concerns, How Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Survived In Space For 9 Months?
5. Changes In Structure Of Heart
The heart’s shape shifts from oval to round as it moves across space. In addition, the blood flow is disrupted, causing harm to the circulatory system. Loss of blood volume is also a concerning problem since it makes it difficult to regulate blood pressure, resulting in dizziness, blackouts, and nausea.
6. Risk Of Cancer
Another severe issue faced by astronauts in space is exposure to high quantities of radiation from the Sun. This increases their risk of developing cancer and other degenerative disorders.
Also Read: 5 Reasons Why Astronaut Sunita Williams’ Mother Is Like Every Desi Mom And We Love It!