Jump to content
 







Main menu
   


Navigation  



Main page
Contents
Current events
Random article
About Wikipedia
Contact us
Donate
 




Contribute  



Help
Learn to edit
Community portal
Recent changes
Upload file
 








Search  

































Create account

Log in
 









Create account
 Log in
 




Pages for logged out editors learn more  



Contributions
Talk
 



















Contents

   



(Top)
 


1 In Flight  



1.1  Non-Emergencies  





1.2  Emergencies  





1.3  Radiation  





1.4  Other Risks  







2 On The Ground  





3 Exploration Scenarios  





4 Computer Based Simulators  





5 Benefits to Earth  





6 References  





7 Additional Information  



7.1  See also  





7.2  External links  
















Medical treatment during spaceflight: Difference between revisions







Add links
 









Article
Talk
 

















Read
Edit
View history
 








Tools
   


Actions  



Read
Edit
View history
 




General  



What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Cite this page
Get shortened URL
Download QR code
Wikidata item
 




Print/export  



Download as PDF
Printable version
 




Print/export  



















Appearance
   

 





Help
 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 


Browse history interactively
 Previous editNext edit 
Content deleted Content added
Jssteil (talk | contribs)
1,549 edits
m →‎On The Ground: Removing the "See also" to a deleted article
Line 86: Line 86:


==On The Ground==

==On The Ground==

{{also|[[Treating_An_Ill_or_Injured_Crew_Member_In_Space/Evidence_for_treating_ill_or_injured_crew_members|Evidence for treating ill or injured crew members]]}}

[[File:Ron Garan CMAS Experiment.jpg|thumb|right|NEEMO-9 astronaut/aquanaut Ronald J. Garan Jr. works with a Center for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS) experiment in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Aquarius Underwater Laboratory, located off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, for the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) project.]]

[[File:Ron Garan CMAS Experiment.jpg|thumb|right|NEEMO-9 astronaut/aquanaut Ronald J. Garan Jr. works with a Center for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS) experiment in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Aquarius Underwater Laboratory, located off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, for the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) project.]]

Ground based incidences of illness encountered by individuals exposed to harsh environments ([[Antarctic expedition]]s, submarines and [[undersea habitat]]s) could be considered as analogs of the space environment. These crews living and working in harsh environments have had medical emergencies such as [[intracerebral hemorrhage]], [[stroke]], [[Myocardial infarction|myocardial infarction (heart attack)]], [[appendicitis]] and [[bone fractures]]. Cases of cancer and psychiatric illness were also documented.<ref name="244-246">{{cite web|last=Risin|first=Diana|title=Risk of Inability to Adequately Treat an Ill or Injured Crew Member|url=http://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/evidence/reports/ExMC.pdf|work=Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions: Evidence reviewed by the NASA Human Research Program|accessdate=23 May 2012|pages=244–246}}</ref></br>

Ground based incidences of illness encountered by individuals exposed to harsh environments ([[Antarctic expedition]]s, submarines and [[undersea habitat]]s) could be considered as analogs of the space environment. These crews living and working in harsh environments have had medical emergencies such as [[intracerebral hemorrhage]], [[stroke]], [[Myocardial infarction|myocardial infarction (heart attack)]], [[appendicitis]] and [[bone fractures]]. Cases of cancer and psychiatric illness were also documented.<ref name="244-246">{{cite web|last=Risin|first=Diana|title=Risk of Inability to Adequately Treat an Ill or Injured Crew Member|url=http://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/evidence/reports/ExMC.pdf|work=Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions: Evidence reviewed by the NASA Human Research Program|accessdate=23 May 2012|pages=244–246}}</ref></br>


Revision as of 18:18, 8 October 2012

It is inevitable that medical conditions of varying complexity, severity and emergency will occur during space flight and travel. Different levels of care are required depending on the problem, available resources and time required to return to Earth. All medical problems have the potential to affect the mission, but significant illnesses or trauma will result in a high probability of mission failure or loss of crew. As the distance that missions travel from Earth increases, more possible medical conditions and types of trauma need to be evaluated. Return to Earth will be highly unlikely or very difficult depending on the distance traveled. Emergency health care and psychological support will have to be self administered and could possibly be completely autonomous. The most effective way to provide adequate support is to establish a thorough pre-flight health status assessment and develop a systematic approach to autonomous health care in space.[1]

Specific provisions and requirements for medical services during space missions are outlined in NPD 8900.5B NASA Health and Medical Policy for Human Space Exploration, NPD 8900.1G Medical Operations Responsibilities in Support of Human Space Flight Programs and NASA-STD-3001 NASA Spaceflight Human Systems Standard - Volume 1, Crew Health.


In Flight

In-flight Medical events for U.S. Astronauts during the Space Shuttle Program (STS-1 through STS-89, April 1981 to January 1998)[2]
Medical Event or System by ICD9* Category Number Percent of Total
Space adaptation syndrome 788 42.2
Nervous system and sense organs 318 17.0
Digestive system 163 8.7
Skin and subcutaneous tissue 151 8.1
Injuries or trauma 141 7.6
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 132 7.1
Respiratory system 83 4.4
Behavioral signs and symptoms 34 1.8
Infectious diseases 26 1.4
Genitourinary system 23 1.2
Circulatory system 6 0.3
Endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, and immunity disorders 2 0.1
*International Classification of Diseases, 9th Ed.


Non-Emergencies

Most medical conditions that occur while in flight do not constitute a medical emergency and can be treated with medication, if available. Some documented non-emergency conditions that have occurred while in space include[3] Space Adaptation Sickness, motion sickness, headache, sleeplessness, back pain, trauma, burns, dermatological conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, respiratory illness and genitourinary problems.

Skylab 2 Commander Charles Conrad is seen undergoing a dental examination by the Medical Officer, Joseph Kerwin in the Skylab Medical Facility.

Emergencies

Potential medical emergencies during space flight[3] arrhythmias, heart attack, stroke, embolism, massive hemorrhage, emergencies related to renal stone formation, infection and thrombotic complications.

To date, only arrhythmias, renal colic and infections have been documented during space flights. The documented arrhythmias were mostly mild abnormalities, but potentially serious arrhythmias have been reported.[3]

Cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, Expedition 11 commander representing Russia’s Federal Space Agency, participates in medical training at Johnson Space Center (JSC). Space Medicine Instructor Tyler N. Carruth with Wyle Life Sciences assisted Krikalev.

The manifestation of coronary artery disease has not been registered during any human space flight, but considering the risk of coronary events in older people and the increasing age of crew members, the possibility of complications during long-duration missions should not be ignored.[3] Other medical emergencies that have been observed in space include rarem but real cases of urological [4] [5] and dental emergencies [6] [7]

Additional consideration substantiates the risk of the inability to treat crew members on long-duration missions.[3]

Radiation

Radiation exposure may affect the general health of crew members and cause radiation specific pathological processes. Emergencies due to radiation exposure would most likely be catastrophic and mission ending.[3]

Other Risks

Other considerations for designing space medical care systems[3] include exposure to toxic substances, chemical burns, electrical burns and trauma (on board and during EVA's).

On The Ground

NEEMO-9 astronaut/aquanaut Ronald J. Garan Jr. works with a Center for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS) experiment in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Aquarius Underwater Laboratory, located off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, for the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) project.

Ground based incidences of illness encountered by individuals exposed to harsh environments (Antarctic expeditions, submarines and undersea habitats) could be considered as analogs of the space environment. These crews living and working in harsh environments have had medical emergencies such as intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), appendicitis and bone fractures. Cases of cancer and psychiatric illness were also documented.[8]

Dental problems were the most common emergency during submarine and Antarctic expeditions and were a cause for transfer in the U.S. Polaris submarine program.[8]

Risk estimates made from data provided by analog studies have certain limitations for long duration missions. Unique problems that are inherent to the space environment include the effects of radiation, exposure and physiological adaptation to low gravity. Cardiovascular events are of particular interest for long duration space missions and other harsh environments. To use United States Air Force (USAF) aviators as an example, even though they undergo a very rigorous health screening, the first manifestation of CAD (coronary artery disease) is a cardiac event. Even though the health assessment for an astronaut is more extensive than USAF aviators, data collected from USAF aviators are applicable to the astronaut corps and emphasizes the risk of occurrence of sudden death or heart attack in space despite thorough screening.[8]

Appendicitis is the most common general surgical condition for the submarine program and has been the cause of one death on an Antarctic expedition. Other serious conditions reported in the submarine program and Antarctic expeditions include traumatic amputations, fractures, dislocations, depression and anxiety.[8]

Exploration Scenarios

These documented conditions serve as a basis for the Exploration medical list. This list is currently under development and will assist in planning research and development activities. A medical support system is being developed to ensure that adequate medical care can be administered autonomously or with support from ground crews on Earth.

Computer Based Simulators

The Integrated Medical Model (IMM), a computer based simulator that quantifies the probability and consequences of medical risks, is currently being developed.[9]


Benefits to Earth

References

  1. ^ Risin, Diana. "Risk of Inability to Adequately Treat an Ill or Injured Crew Member" (PDF). Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions: Evidence reviewed by the NASA Human Research Program. p. 241. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  • ^ Ball, John R. (2001). Safe passage : astronaut care for exploration missions ([Online-Ausg.] ed.). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. ISBN 0-309-07585-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • ^ a b c d e f g Risin, Diana. "Risk of Inability to Adequately Treat an Ill or Injured Crew Member" (PDF). Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions: Evidence reviewed by the NASA Human Research Program. pp. 241–244. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  • ^ Berry, CA (1974). "Medical legacy of Apollo". Aero Med. 45: 1046–1057.
  • ^ Lebedev, V. (1983). Diary of a cosmonaut. 211 days in space. New York: Bantam Books.
  • ^ Newkirk, D. (1990). Almanac of Soviet manned space flight. Houston: Gulf Publishing Company.
  • ^ Brown, L.R. (1977). "Skylab oral health studies". Biomedical results from Skylab. Washington, D.C.: NASA. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • ^ a b c d Risin, Diana. "Risk of Inability to Adequately Treat an Ill or Injured Crew Member" (PDF). Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions: Evidence reviewed by the NASA Human Research Program. pp. 244–246. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  • ^ Risin, Diana. "Risk of Inability to Adequately Treat an Ill or Injured Crew Member" (PDF). Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions: Evidence reviewed by the NASA Human Research Program. p. 246. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  • Additional Information

    See also

    Illness and injuries during spaceflight
    Space Medicine: Medicine in space
    Human analog missions
    Bioastronautics
    Effect of spaceflight on the human body
    Astronautical hygiene
    Space exposure
    Space adaptation syndrome
    Space survival
    Space colonization

    External links

    Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions (PDF). National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (NASA SP-2009-3405).


    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Medical_treatment_during_spaceflight&oldid=516680290"

    Categories: 
    Articles with empty sections from June 2012
    Health sciences
    Space
    Space medicine
    Hidden categories: 
    CS1 errors: unsupported parameter
    Articles with hatnote templates targeting a nonexistent page
    Articles to be expanded from June 2012
    All articles to be expanded
    Articles with invalid date parameter in template
    All articles with empty sections
    Articles using small message boxes
    Wikipedia articles incorporating text from NASA
     



    This page was last edited on 8 October 2012, at 18:18 (UTC).

    This version of the page has been revised. Besides normal editing, the reason for revision may have been that this version contains factual inaccuracies, vandalism, or material not compatible with the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.



    Privacy policy

    About Wikipedia

    Disclaimers

    Contact Wikipedia

    Code of Conduct

    Developers

    Statistics

    Cookie statement

    Mobile view



    Wikimedia Foundation
    Powered by MediaWiki