Space Team Online QuestChat

Date: June 6, 2001

Featuring: Dr. Philip Scarpa

Wed June 6 2001 The expert's featured url: http://quest.nasa.gov/space/team/scarpa.html

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 1 - 07:01:37 ]
Please join us Wednesday, June 6, for a webchat with NASA expert Dr. Phil Scarpa http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/scarpa.html flight surgeon, from the Kennedy Space Center. This chat continues the theme featured in the May 23 webcast from KSC featuring astronaut health -- before during and after a shuttle flight. Please be sure to read the expert’s profile before joining us, so that your questions will be appropriate to Dr. Scarpa's field.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 2 - 07:02:48 ]
You may go ahead and place questions in the chatroom now to be answered during the webchat. Please don't post test messages or repeats -- though you may not see your question, it is in the chatroom. Again, PLEASE do not repeat your questions. Enjoy the chat :-)

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 6 - 09:59:14 ]
Welcome Dr. Scarpa!!

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 7 - 09:59:18 ]
Hi! My name is Dr. Phil Scarpa. Welcome to the Astronaut Health Chat.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 11 - 10:03:30 ]
RE: [Dexter] Hello,what is your blood pressure in spase?
It is the same as if you were on the ground, however the blood pressure may be lower after you return from space, because you have less blood volume.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 13 - 10:06:21 ]
RE: [Shiona] Can astronauts smell in space?
Sure they can, however, your taste can be different. Due to fluid shifting to the head, your nose may be stuffed up, therefore you may not be able to smell.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 15 - 10:10:20 ]
RE: [JulieR] How does digestion change while astronauts are in space?
Without gravity, your stomach may feel full in space. For example, like eating lying flat on earth. Digestion is slower in space due to a decrease in digestive tract movement.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 17 - 10:16:18 ]
RE: [Gustav] Do you suffer temporary bouts of insanity and/or depression while up in space,and if so do you see it coming?
We monitor the astronauts for the mood they are in while they are in space. The astronauts can email their families and friends, to help avoid any potential depression. There has been no insanity or severe depression in space.

[ Cyrille - 18 - 10:17:29 ]
Hello & greetings from the Netherlands

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 20 - 10:20:14 ]
RE: [Becky] I was searching the web for information on a drug called melatonin used for sleep problems. I found a 1998 NASA Shuttle Web report about a study that was to be done on the Shuttle to test this drug. Do you know what the results were or where we could find them? THANKS!
I cannot tell you the results of that mission, but I can tell you the results of testing Melatonin in the space program. It helps astronauts fall asleep and adjusts their sleep-wake cycles, although more research has to be done.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 22 - 10:24:24 ]
RE: [Cyrille] How does the human body react to the G-forces during a launch? Can there be any damage to your body?
Your body does very well, no damages ever noted. You are thrown into your seat when you lift off. When you reach orbit, your body feels like it's falling -- that's when you are in 0-G.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 24 - 10:29:12 ]
RE: [RachShan] What is the hardest part of your job as a flight surgeon?
Doing every thing I want to do in the 24 hour day I am given. Seriously, prioritizing my duties to support the most important things first is always difficult. The astronauts, the mission and the public are always our first priorities.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 26 - 10:36:33 ]
RE: [RachnShan] Are astronauts able to take medicines in space and do they effect them the same as they would on earth?
Astronauts take medicines for the same reasons we do here on earth, however, some medications do act differently in space without gravity. This is due to change in gut absorption; a decrease in blood volume; and the need to give medicines in different ways, other than a pill, for reasons such as vomiting (shots, patches, inhalers).

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 28 - 10:39:13 ]
RE: [Cyrille] In microgravity the blood in your veins will not be drawn in the direction of your legs anymore. So valves in your veins do not have a function anymore when you are in microgravity. It is known that parts of your body, which you do not use, are being broken down. Does this proces also happen in your veins (so do the valves of your vains get broken down)?
To our knowledge the valves do not break down. For additional information see our webcast on Astronaut Health.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 30 - 10:40:29 ]
RE: [RogerioReis] On the Apollo program, the astronauts wore Biomed sensors. Do they wear it nowadays? Or just during EVAs?
Most of the time only during EVAs, unless we are doing experiments.

[ LebanonMiddleSchool - 31 - 10:40:42 ]
Hello this is Lebanon Middle School in Connecticut.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 32 - 10:40:54 ]
Hello Lebanon Middle School! Glad you could join us today :-)

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 37 - 10:47:20 ]
RE: [LebanonMiddleSchool] Can you asphyxiate in space? What happens?
Yes, you can asphyxiate in space.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 38 - 10:52:46 ]
RE: [LebanonMiddleSchool] How do you test that an astronaut is physically able to handle the g force of launching into space?
During their selection as an astronaut, and during their periodic medical exams, we evaluate the astronauts ability to perform during their missions. We don't test astronauts on rocket sleds or centrifuges anymore, because the G-forces on the shuttle are not that high.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 39 - 10:55:56 ]
We have time for just a question or two more.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 40 - 10:58:05 ]
RE: [Cyrille] Is there in microgravity a change in your bloodcomponents? If so, what?
Yes, some astronauts may become slightly anemic (loss of red blood cells) and experience decreased immunity (decreased ability to fight off infections, decreased number of and response of white blood cells).

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 41 - 11:01:05 ]
Because we have several questions unanswered, Dr. Scarpa has agreed to chat with us for an additional 15 minutes :-)

[ Cyrille - 45 - 11:03:30 ]
Thanks to Dr. Scarpa and Lori for your educational answers!

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 46 - 11:03:30 ]
Thanks Cyrille! You have attended our events before haven't you? Your name/country of residence is familiar. Hope you enjoyed the chat!

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 47 - 11:05:51 ]
RE: [LebanonMiddleSchool] What would happen if you approved a person who ended up dying on the shuttle because of medical conditions?
It depends on what they died from. Some things cannot be screened for, such as trauma. We would certainly end the mission and bring back the crew -- within an hour if on the space station.

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 48 - 11:07:55 ]
RE: [Cyrille] -It will be terrible of course- but what happens to your body when your spacesuit cracks in space?
Depends on the size of the hole, but a large hole would be serious. Not only is there a lack of oxygen in space, but also a lack of air pressure, which also does damage to the body.

[ LebanonMiddleSchool - 49 - 11:08:58 ]
This is our first time chatting with you. Thank you both so much for the educational experience.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 50 - 11:09:34 ]
I think we have time for one more question . . .

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 52 - 11:12:02 ]
RE: [LebanonMiddleSchool] This is our first time chatting with you. Thank you both so much for the educational experience.
Thanks for joining us Lebanon Middle School. We are so glad you enjoyed the chat. Your questions were great -- very well thought out. I hope you join us again! Think Quest :-)

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 53 - 11:12:19 ]
RE: [LebanonMiddleSchool] This is our first time chatting with you. Thank you both so much for the educational experience.
Your welcome,

[ Dr.Scarpa/KSC - 54 - 11:13:04 ]
RE: [LebanonMiddleSchool] This is our first time chatting with you. Thank you both so much for the educational experience.
Your very welcome! It was my pleasure!

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 55 - 11:15:53 ]
This ends our chat with Dr. Scarpa. I hope you all enjoyed the chat and the answers to your great questions! Join us again :-) Have a great day all!