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Why do astronauts suffer from space sickness? (Forwarded)



 
 
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Old May 22nd 08, 05:18 PM posted to sci.space.news
Andrew Yee[_1_]
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Default Why do astronauts suffer from space sickness? (Forwarded)

Delft University of Technology
Delft, The Netherlands

Press information:

Karen Collet
T: 0031 (0)15 278 5408

Science information:

Frank Nuijens
T: 0031 (0)15 278 4259

Roy Meijer
T: 0031 (0)15 278 1751

Ineke Boneschansker
T: 0031 (0)15 278 8499

16 May 2008

Why do astronauts suffer from space sickness?

Rotating astronauts for a lengthy period provided researcher Suzanne Nooij
with better insight into how 'space sickness' develops, the nausea and
disorientation experienced by many astronauts. Nooij will receive her PhD
from TU Delft on this subject on Tuesday 20 May.

Gravity plays a major role in our spatial orientation. Changes in
gravitational forces, such as the transition to weightlessness during a
space voyage, influence our spatial orientation and require adaptation by
many of the physiological processes in which our balance system plays a
part. As long as this adaptation is incomplete, this can be coupled to
motion sickness (nausea), visual illusions and disorientation.

This 'space sickness' or Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS), is experienced by
about half of all astronauts during the first few days of their space
voyage. Wubbo Ockels, the first Dutchman in space in 1986, also suffered
from these symptoms. In his capacity as TU Delft professor, Ockels is PhD
supervisor for Suzanne Nooij's research.

Rotation

Interestingly, SAS symptoms can even be experienced after lengthy exposure
to high gravitational forces in a human centrifuge, as is used for instance
for testing and training fighter pilots. To experience this, people have to
spend longer than an hour in a centrifuge and be subjected to gravitational
forces of three times higher than that on Earth. The rotation is in itself
not unpleasant, but after leaving the centrifuge about half of the test
subjects experience the same symptoms as caused by space sickness. It also
turns out that astronauts who suffer from space sickness during space
flights also experience these symptoms following lengthy rotation on Earth.
This means that these symptoms are not caused by weightlessness as such, but
more generally by adaptation to a different gravitational force.

Suzanne Nooij has studied these effects closely using the human centrifuge
at the Centre for Man and Aviation in Soesterberg. Her results confirm the
theory that both types of nausea (space sickness and after rotation) are
caused by the same mechanism and also provide better insight into why the
symptoms arise.

Otoliths

Logically, Nooij focused her research on the organ of balance. This is
located in the inner ear and comprises semi-circular canals, which are
sensitive to rotation, and otoliths, which are sensitive to linear
acceleration. It has previously been suggested that a difference between the
functioning of the left and right otolith contributes to susceptibility to
sickness among astronauts. If this is the case, this should also apply after
lengthy rotation.

Nooij tested this otolith asymmetry hypothesis. The otolith and
semi-circular canals functions on both sides were measured of fifteen test
subjects known to be susceptible to space sickness. Those who suffered from
space sickness following rotation proved to have high otolith asymmetry and
more sensitive otolith and canal systems. These people could not be
classified as sensitive or non-sensitive on the basis of this asymmetry
alone, but could on the basis of a combination of various otolith and canal
features. This demonstrates that the entire organ of balance is involved in
space sickness and that it probably entails complex interactions between the
various parts of the organ of balance.

More information:

Suzanne Nooij, +31 (0)6-55875695
 




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