Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore may have Space Anemia, increased risk from red blood cells to DNA
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's long stay in space has raised many health concerns. Staying in space for a long time affects the eyes, heart system, bones, and overall health. Experts are also talking about the danger to the DNA of astronauts. Along with this, there is a risk of space anemia.
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for quite some time now. Whether she will return through Boeing's Starliner or SpaceX's Dragon capsule is yet to be decided. In the case that she gets back by SpaceX's spacecraft, she will have to stay there till February next year.
Health experts warned that spending an extended period of time in space could lead to an added risk of increased exposure to microgravity and space anemia. He added that microgravity could reduce the count of hemoglobin and red blood cells which carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were taken to the ISS on June 5, and in just eight days, they were to be sent back due to supposed space anemia. Health researchers say that even if space anemia strikes an astronaut, then it can significantly affect their energy, strength, and stamina.
In the space clause, anemia refers to the condition whereby red blood cells are destroyed before their time is due. The net effect will simply be the outcome of more of the red blood cells getting destroyed than produced in their time in space. This can have severe consequences both on the well-being of the astronauts as they stay for long in space and on their health correction when back on Earth.
