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Shubhanshu Shukla on how he feels aboard the International Space Station: ‘Thoda sa sarr bhaari hai…'
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), recently shared his first reaction on reaching ISS. In a video message on the Axiom 4 YouTube channel, he said, 'This is a small message for my fellow countrymen. I have been able to come to the International Space Station with your love and blessings. It looks very easy to stand here, but it's quite difficult. Thoda sa sarr bhaari hai, thodi takleef ho rahi hai par yeh sab bahut choti cheezein hai (I feel a little headache, lightheadedness, discomfort, but these are small issues). In a few days, we will get used to this. This is the first phase of this journey. We will conduct science experiments and continue to communicate with you over the next 14 days. It's a big milestone in our space journey. It will be exciting.'
Shukla also opened up about not feeling well in his first call from space, 'I was not feeling well, and I was very sleepy when we were launched into the vacuum. Learning how to walk and eat in space like a child.'
Taking a cue from his admission, let's explore the bodily changes that astronauts experience in space.
Experts suggest that his candid admission reflects the common physiological responses the human body experiences upon entering microgravity.
When in space, the human body can experience many changes due to the lack of gravity, said Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant in internal medicine at Gleneagles Hospital Parel, Mumbai.
'One of the first effects astronauts feel can be the fluid shift as the fluids move upward toward the head, making it feel heavy, causing puffy faces, nasal congestion, and pressure in the skull. Hence, it can cause dizziness, headaches, and a sense of imbalance,' Dr Agarwal said.
The inner ear, which controls balance, becomes confused without gravity, causing 'some astronauts feel motion sickness in the first few days.'
'Other issues can also occur. Muscles and bones weaken over time because they aren't used the same way as on Earth. The heart works less hard in space, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure,' said Dr Agarwal, adding that vision problems can occur due to pressure on the eyes.
Such symptoms are part of what's known as Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS)—a condition many astronauts face in the initial hours or days aboard the International Space Station, said Dr Hiran S. Reddy, consultant physician, diabetologist, and critical care specialist, Gleneagles Hospital, Lakdi ka Pul, Hyderabad.
While these symptoms are typically mild and temporary, they indicate the body's effort to recalibrate itself to a weightless environment, noted Dr Reddy. 'Medical teams monitor these early signs closely to ensure there is no escalation into more serious issues such as vision changes or prolonged intracranial pressure,' said Dr Reddy.
However, understand that not everybody can experience the same problems. 'Some may not experience any problems at all. Hence, to manage these symptoms, astronauts follow strict exercise routines, maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and undergo regular medical checks to keep their bodies fit during space travel,' said Dr Agarwal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
