Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's space travel health risks
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla just wrapped up his first stint on the International Space Station (ISS), and he's sharing what it's really like to live in space.
At 39, he found himself relearning simple things like walking and eating—all thanks to microgravity.
His journey shows just how much our bodies change when we leave Earth.
Effects of microgravity on human body
Space isn't easy on the human body.
Fluids shift around, which can mess with your eyesight.
Bones lose density fast—about 1-1.5% every month—and muscles shrink, even with daily exercise, because there's no gravity for resistance.
The heart also has a tougher time pumping blood, so astronauts often feel dizzy or faint when they get back home.
Adjusting to weightlessness can be rough at 1st
Adjusting to weightlessness can be rough at first—think nausea and feeling disoriented as your inner ear gets confused.
"I had to learn how to walk again," Shukla shared, showing just how strange moving around in space can feel.
Returning from space isn't instant either
Returning from space isn't instant either.
Astronauts deal with weak muscles, softer bones, blurry vision, and trouble sleeping as their bodies readjust to gravity.
Recovery takes time—with lots of physio, medical checks, and even quarantine—to help them get back to normal life safely.