Gravitational and Space Biology 19(2) August 2006 65 TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE: FROM GROUND-BASED STUDIES OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES TO ASTRONAUT HEALTH AND EARTH BENEFITS.

• Main Author: Charles E. Wade
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.454.5804; http://gravitationalandspacebiology.org/index.php/journal/article/download/10/10/

Traumatic injuries are an everyday occurrence, from minor scratches to the massive injuries of auto accidents. Based on this reality NASA has prepared for a range of contingencies to care for injured astronauts. These preparations have been based upon the clinical incidence of traumatic injuries in environmental analogs such as Arctic habitats. However, information is needed as to the effect of acclimation to the space environment on responses to injury, subsequent treatment and rehabilitation. Deconditioning of a subject leads to significant alterations in responses to hemorrhage, susceptibility to infection, and the healing process. The treatment of the injured astronaut may have to be altered to compensate for the effects of acclimation in light of these findings. Furthermore, upon return to Earth's gravity therapeutic interventions, such as administration of anesthetics