“More Trouble”: Doctors Spot Health Detail As Astronaut Was Stretchered Away After Landing

A subtle detail has been identified by health experts that could reveal astronaut Sunita Williams‘s health condition.

Williams, along with Barry Wilmore, recently touched down on Earth after a long nine months up in space.

Astronaut Sunita Williams’s health condition raised concerns among onlookers upon her return to Earth

Astronaut in spacecraft interior, showcasing space health experiment, related to recent health detail discovery.

Image credits: NASA Johnson

The whole world locked in on the “stranded” astronauts’s long-awaited return to Earth yesterday, March 19. After an unexpected nine months on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore’s dramatic change in appearance surprised viewers.

After landing off the coast of Florida, astronauts stepped out of their SpaceX Dragon capsule. While both astronauts looked tired, Williams, 59, was helped onto a stretcher. In a bid to assure people that she was well, Williams was seen smiling and waving as she was lifted.

However, health experts noticed a small detail that could help reveal the issues Williams might be dealing with now. 

Experts said Williams could be dealing with muscle wasting

Parachutes deploy as spacecraft brings astronauts back to Earth safely.

Image credits: NASA/Keegan Barber

Astronaut in spacesuit giving thumbs up, seated on stretcher post-landing, with medical personnel nearby.

Image credits: NASA/Keegan Barber

After Williams waved, experts observed her right arm suddenly going limp and falling heavily to her thighs, which might be a consequence of long exposure to microgravity.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, doctors suggested that this behavior could signal muscle wasting from her 286-day stay in space.

They added that in a low-gravity environment, muscles tend to waste away as they work less to maintain posture since they experience less resistance. On Earth, gravity forces muscles to work against it, creating a mechanical load that prevents atrophy.

The astronaut’s thin wrists and frail appearance point to weight loss and muscle atrophy

Astronaut in space suit assisted by crew after landing, highlighting health concerns noticed by doctors.

Image credits: NASA

The claims come after other experts were concerned about the astronaut’s alarmingly thin wrists. According to the doctors, both details point to weight loss and muscle wasting.

However, according to Dr Vin Gupta, an Air Force surgeon, the fact that she was able to lift her arm to wave at the onlookers was a good sign. 

“Anyone who is able to elevate their arm is then also able to lower their arm successfully, should be OK,” he said.

Dr. Gerson said it’s “really hard to maintain muscle mass in space without gravity”

Astronaut in spacesuit being assisted by two people after landing; health concern noticed.

Image credits: NASA

Dr. Stanton Gerson shared that Williams appeared thinner than her male crew member, Butch Wilmore. 

“She had more trouble, if you will, than did the other astronaut with standing up,” Gerson told the Daily Mail. In general, men have more muscle mass than women, which can lead to women being more affected by losing a small amount.

“This may be because it is really hard to maintain muscle mass in space without the help of gravity. In space, there isn’t a differential on muscle mass, because there isn’t the stress and strain from gravity and, as a result, from undertaking exercise,” he explained.

Gerson also added that the muscle loss the astronauts experienced is likely to be in the single digits and minimal and that they should be okay in a short time. 

NASA said the human body experiences muscle and bone loss in space

Astronaut aboard spacecraft in red shirt, demonstrating physical fitness during mission.

Image credits: NASA Johnson

One of the biggest changes to the human body comes from spending time in microgravity, which enables astronauts to float inside a spacecraft or outside during spacewalks.

During this period, there is a decrease in muscle mass—due to decreased use and lack of stimulus through exercise—and bone loss, according to NASA.

Without Earth’s gravity, bones that support the body’s weight can lose 1% to 1.5% of mineral density on average per month in space, the agency explains.

Inadequate diet and exercise in space contribute to the muscle loss astronauts experience

Astronauts working on the International Space Station, handling equipment and smiling amidst complex machinery.

Image credits: NASA Johnson

Additionally, astronauts experience accelerated muscle loss in microgravity environments due to not having an optimal diet or exercise routines, which would normally help prevent such effects on Earth. 

NASA also points out that in microgravity, there is a shift of blood and cerebrospinal fluid from the lower body to the head and eyes, likely causing structural changes in the brain and eyes. 

Upon their return to Earth, astronauts undergo thorough medical evaluations as part of their readjustment to Earth’s gravity, yet most recover quickly and do not suffer long-term health impacts.

Online users commented on Sunita Williams’s health upon her return to Earth

Text comment expressing concern about an astronaut's health detail post-landing.

Comments express support for astronauts' health after landing.

Comment by Lesley Ellis praising safe return of astronauts.

Comment expressing concern for an astronaut's health after landing.

Comment by Bev MacLeod expressing optimism for astronaut's care after landing.

Comment on astronaut health and recovery after space landing, mentioning gravity's impact and expected recovery time.

Comment discussing astronaut's health challenges post-landing, mentioning pressure, gravity, and acclimation.

Comment on astronauts needing time to adjust after nine months in space.

Comment on astronaut health impact after landing, noting prolonged recovery.

Comment on astronaut's health, highlighting muscle adjustment after return from zero gravity.

Comment on astronaut's health after landing, discussing gravity impact and recovery wishes.

Comment by Maria Troesch, stating "She doesn't look well," with a concerned emoji.

Text comment on health impacts on astronauts after space missions.

Phillip Minter's comment on astronauts and zero gravity effect on body weight perception.

Text from Mike Rogers discussing health and physical therapy after astronaut landing.

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