Medical treatment during spaceflight

It is inevitable that medical conditions of varying complexity, severity and emergency will occur during spaceflight missions with human participants.

As the distance that missions travel from Earth increases, more possible medical conditions and types of trauma need to be evaluated.

[4] According to an observational study of 79 early U.S. shuttle missions, hypnotic drugs accounted for 45% of all medication dispensed to astronauts in space.

Exposure to a range of hazards including chemical substances, microbes, radiation and noise can be prevented or controlled by the application of effective astronautical hygiene practice.

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.

Unique problems that are inherent to the space environment include the effects of radiation, exposure and physiological adaptation to low gravity.

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.

Other serious conditions reported in the submarine program and Antarctic expeditions include traumatic amputations, fractures, dislocations, depression and anxiety.

[17] This article incorporates public domain material from Human Health and Performance Risks of Space Exploration Missions (PDF).