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Do you know why you feel dizzy and nauseous in space?
In a gravity-free environment, space travelers face a distressing physiological reaction called Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS) or space sickness. According to research, about half of astronauts experience this condition when entering space, which poses considerable challenges to their mission execution.
Space sickness is not simply similar to motion sickness. Its symptoms are exactly the opposite of motion sickness on the ground. In space, the perception of astronauts' visual system and vestibular system often appear inconsistent, leading to feelings of dizziness and nausea.
The manifestation of seasickness in space
The symptoms of space seasickness have a significant impact on astronauts' performance, affecting their operational abilities, reducing situational awareness, and threatening the safety of space missions. In the space environment, losing muscle mass makes it difficult for astronauts to move when returning to Earth, which could make it more difficult to evacuate quickly in an emergency. In addition, bone loss and lack of fluids in microgravity may trigger kidney stones, which can lead to dangerous conditions if the pain strikes at a critical moment.
Causes of seasickness in space
Scientists point out that our bodies are not designed to adapt to zero gravity. When testing someone's reaction to space, it's impossible to predict whether they will develop seasickness. Some people often feel uncomfortable in a vehicle but are not affected in space.
When the visual and vestibular systems report inconsistently, it can easily lead to symptoms of nausea and other disorders. This phenomenon is explained according to the contemporary sensory conflict theory, that is, when there is a disharmony between the perceptions of the vestibular system and the visual system, it will cause uncomfortable symptoms such as motion dizziness. New research highlights the importance of the "limbic system" in integrating sensory information and long-term memory, and may become a key part of understanding seasickness in space.
According to "Science Daily", "Gravity plays an important role in our spatial orientation, and changes in gravity prompt our physiological systems to adjust."
Management of seasickness in space
Although there are currently some motion sickness drugs, during space missions, astronauts often choose to let their bodies adapt naturally to avoid the side effects of the drugs. Transdermal antiemetic patches are usually used as an auxiliary measure during space adaptation to prevent the danger of vomiting in the space suit.
Historically, the first person to vomit in space was Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov. This historical record made people alert to the harmful effects of seasickness in space.
Research and future prospects
While the experience of space succumbing can try to find some relief, predicting whether people will feel uncomfortable in space remains a challenge. In future space missions, the training and adaptation of astronauts will become increasingly important, and how to effectively control these physiological reactions will become one of the core issues of aerospace medicine.
As we face the infinite possibilities of space exploration, will these physical challenges become obstacles to our journey to interstellar space?
