Following the release of photos showing NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore on the International Space Station, concerns have started to mount for their health.
Williams and Wilmore have been stuck on the ISS since June 6, when what was supposed to be a brief visit to the space station turned into a much longer stay after the Boeing Starliner capsule began experiencing technical malfunctions.
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The two Americans have now been in space for more than 150 days after only planning on being off planet for eight. Since the photos of the pair were released, many noted Williams sallow skin and hollow cheeks and the fact she does not look as healthy as she did before leaving for the mission.
In the photos, the two astronauts can be seen eating a dinner that consists of uncooked pizza and various condiments. While she is smiling in the photo, many were quick to raise concerns about Williams' appearance.
“What you’re seeing there in that picture is somebody that I think is experiencing the natural stresses of living at a very high altitude, even in a pressurized cabin, for extended periods,” Dr. Vinay Gupta told the Daily Mail.
Gupta went on to say that Williams could have sunken cheeks because of a “significant” calorie deficit she is experiencing. This, in part, is because the body burns more calories in space than it does on terrestrial ground due to low temperatures and harsher conditions.
The doctor went on to share with the media outlet that one of the main health concerns for those spending extended periods of time in space is muscle atrophy.
“They’re intaking very high-calorie foods, as you can tell — cold cuts, and, you know, other meats, the proteins, but high-fat cold cuts — it’s not necessarily a balanced diet,” Gupta told the Daily Mail.
The remarks from Gupta come after a crew of NASA astronauts returned to Earth and were rushed to the hospital after spending 200 days on the ISS. NASA shared that one of the astronauts was kept overnight at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola before being released the next day. It has not been shared what the medical emergency was.
The space agency has also not commented on the raised concern for Williams and Wilmore at this time.
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