Astronauts can suffer kidney damage if they go on mission to Mars

A new study shows NASA astronauts can suffer permanent kidney damage if they go on a mission to Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun. This shocking revelation came when researchers examined the effects on the health of 24 astronauts who had visited the moon.

According to an analysis of the health effects of space flight on the 24 NASA astronauts, many of those astronauts experienced kidney changes. These changes might become dangerous for astronauts as they can suffer painful kidney stones.

*24 NASA astronauts have developed kidney stones*

Researchers from University College London studied the possible health effects of space travel. They found that astronauts are likely to develop kidney stones and require dialysis on their return trip. Dialysis refers to a kidney treatment to remove toxins from the body to enable its function naturally.

However, the US space agency NASA and the entrepreneur Elon Musk, have collaborated to prepare for manned missions to Mars. Hence, astronauts can suffer permanent kidney damage after their travel on Mars.

Following this plans to undertake 66 million-mile round missions to Mars would be at risk of health danger until new medications are developed to protect the kidneys of victim astronauts.

*Affected NASA astronauts may suffer permanent kidney damage on their Mars mission*

Click here to read the updates on NASA’s plans to run train on Mars & fund the lunar rail system in space

These medications can also be helpful on Earth as a preventive drug to protect the kidneys of cancer patients during radiation treatment. This is because cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, can damage the kidney permanently.

Chemotherapy refers to a drug-based treatment used to kill fast-growing cancer cells in the body. However, powerful chemicals used in this treatment may damage cells in the kidney, uterus, and other body parts. It is a very crucial problem for patients; suffering from fatal disease cancer.

Nature Communications has published this research study. It is one of the greatest analyses of kidney health in space flight to this date.