[ti:Study Documents Headaches Experienced by Astronauts in Space]
[al:Science & Technology]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2024-03-18]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]Research in the growing field of space medicine has identified many ways in which zero-gravity and other conditions can affect the human body.
[00:13.03]Now, a new study finds that astronauts are more likely to experience headaches in space than previously known.
[00:22.37]The study involved 24 astronauts from the U.S., European and Japanese space agencies. 
[00:30.42]They all traveled aboard the International Space Station for up to 26 weeks. 
[00:36.79]All but two of them reported experiencing headaches in space.
[00:42.16]Headaches struck a larger number of astronauts than the scientists had expected. 
[00:49.14]The headaches continued even after the crew had been in space long enough for the body to adjust. 
[00:56.01]The process takes place in the first two weeks in space.
[01:01.91]The headaches during the early period often presented similarly to migraines. 
[01:08.21]Those experienced later in space travel presented more like a tension headache, the study found.
[01:15.71]Neurologist WPJ van Oosterhout of Zaans Medical Center and the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands was lead author of the study. 
[01:28.52]He said the research suggests different processes "are involved for the early headache episodes - the first one to two weeks in space - versus later headache episodes."
[01:41.26]The study was published this week in the journal Neurology.
[01:45.67]"In the first week, the body has to adapt to the lack of gravity, known as space adaptation syndrome. 
[01:54.00]This phenomenon is similar to motion sickness, and can cause nausea, vomiting and dizziness, and headaches," Van Oosterhout said.
[02:04.20]"The later headaches could result from ... more fluid accumulating in the upper part of the body and head...."
[02:11.85]Migraines experienced on Earth are often throbbing, and last four to seven hours, along with symptoms like nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound, Van Oosterhout said.
[02:26.78]Tension headaches on Earth usually are a dull pain felt over the whole head, he said.
[02:34.26]The astronauts, 23 men and one woman, had an average age of about 47. 
[02:41.96]They visited the International Space Station for missions that took place from November 2011 to June 2018.
[02:50.49]A total of 378 headaches were reported by 22 of the 24 astronauts during a total of 3,596 days in orbit. 
[03:03.33]None of the 24 reported headaches in the three months after returning to Earth.
[03:09.22]None had ever had migraines before their time in space and none had a history of usual headache attacks.
[03:17.06]Documented effects of space travel include bone and muscle weakening, or atrophy, changes in the brain, cardiovascular system and immune system. 
[03:28.14]Astronauts have also experienced effects on the inner ear and a condition involving the eyes. The risk of cancer from high radiation levels in space is another concern.
[03:41.85]Experts are unsure how much of a barrier these effects might have on human space travel over long periods, like trips to Mars or beyond.
[03:53.92]"The honest answer is that we don't know the effects of long-duration space travel - possibly years - on the human body," Van Oosterhout said, adding, this "is a clear task for the field of space medicine."
[04:07.68]I'm Dan Novak.