Everything That Happened To Scott Kelly’s Body Since He Got Back From A Year In Space
Astronaut Scott Kelly, at one point in his life, held the record for the most consecutive days spent aboard the International Space Station, an achievement that unfortunately has come with a high cost. Upon returning home to Earth, Kelly now suffers numerous health problems caused by living in space, but he expected as much when he signed up for his 340-day mission. Scientists studying the effects of outer space on the human body hope that Kelly's readjustment to Earth will help them better understand how living sans gravity impacts a person's health. Kelly, who has an identical twin brother who also happens to be an astronaut, makes for a perfect subject when examining space-related health issues. Both he and his brother, who spent six months in space, could shed light on the short and long-term health problems caused by outer space.
After spending a year back on Earth, Kelly shared his health struggles in a book entitled Endurance. While his experiences may sound like something out of a TV show about space, Kelly's medical issues are very real. Scott Kelly's health problems sound absolutely grueling, and he will face issues with his health for the rest of his life. Space already sounds scary enough, and the effects of space on Scott Kelly's body show living in zero gravity comes with zero health perks. Check out these excerpts from Endurance that won't exactly have you signing up for that first trip to Mars: .
A Burning Rash All Over His Skin
Kelly discovered a strange rash:
'My skin is burning, too,' I tell her. Amiko frantically examines me. I have a strange rash all over my back, the backs of my legs, the back of my head and neck – everywhere I was in contact with the bed.
I can feel her cool hands moving over my inflamed skin. 'It looks like an allergic rash,' she says. 'Like hives.'
An Extremely High Risk Of Cancer
Kelly's cancer risk was significantly increased by the time he spent in space. According to The Globe and Mail:
During his months in space, Kelly had more than 30 times the exposure to radiation of a person on Earth – equivalent to about 10 chest X-rays a day.
Relentless High Fever
On page six of Endurance, Kelly speaks about feeling unwell:
'Amiko,'" I finally manage to say. She is alarmed by the sound of my voice.
'What is it?' Her hand is on my arm, then on my forehead.
Her skin feels chilled, but it's just that I'm so hot. 'I don't feel good,' I say.
A Rush Of Blood To The Legs
Kelly details the start of the leg episode with his challenges just trying to move:
I struggle to get up. Find the edge of the bed. Feet down. Sit up. Stand up. At every stage I feel like I'm fighting through quicksand. When I'm finally vertical, the pain in my legs is awful, and on top of that pain I feel a sensation that's even more alarming: it feels as though all the blood in my body is rushing to my legs, like the sensation of the blood rushing to your head when you do a handstand, but in reverse.
Waves Of Nausea
Kelly's fear is palpable on page six:
I'm seriously nauseated now, feverish, and my pain has gotten worse. This isn't like how I felt after my last mission. This is much, much worse.
Muscles And Joints Feeling Prematurely Aged
Kelly wrote about his experience in the Sydney Morning Herald:
It's March 2016, and I've been back on Earth, after a year in space, for precisely 48 hours. I push back from the table and struggle to stand up, feeling like a very old man getting out of a recliner.