Let's face it – at the
moment we don't have many opportunities for professional astronomy in
the Philippines. The truth is, our government simply does not have
that much of a priority for the sciences. We've all heard about
scientists moving to other countries for better opportunities, and
inventors selling their patents abroad because no one is willing to
support them. When I entered this field I have worked in the academe,
educational service companies, and non-profit groups. I have also
seen the kind of jobs my students have been able to find. Sadly,
there are a lot of students with potential out there who had to
extinguish the flames of their passion for more lucrative
careers.
Among the students I've talked to, the field of medicine seems to be one of the most common choices. Not wanting to put their potential and passion for astronomy to waste I usually point out a direction that they can put into consideration – space medicine. Space medicine involves proactive and reactive care of humans to optimize their performance and well-being under the extreme environment of space.
Among the students I've talked to, the field of medicine seems to be one of the most common choices. Not wanting to put their potential and passion for astronomy to waste I usually point out a direction that they can put into consideration – space medicine. Space medicine involves proactive and reactive care of humans to optimize their performance and well-being under the extreme environment of space.
In the environment of
space the human body is subjected to various effects like bone and
muscle loss, reduced cardiovascular function, radiation exposure,
microgravity, and even effects on mental health. These factors can
result to symptoms such as: loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia,
dehydration, skin inflammation, back pain, respiratory infection, eye
irritation, UTI, abnormal heart beats, muscle strain, diarrhea,
constipation, ear problems, and lung inflammation. These symptoms
have to be diagnosed correctly for the effects and treatment may be
different on the ground and in space.
Be it on the ground, or
out in space, there are many ways in which space medicine is needed.
Among the tasks involved are the production of documentation for
medical requirements; medical selection and certification of
astronauts; biomedical training on medical protocols; flight health
evaluation and monitoring; provide preventive, diagnostic, and
therapeutic care; environmental health and monitoring; crew
rehabilitation and fitness evaluation; and emergency medical
services.
With humanity's plans to
go to Mars in the relatively near future, there will eventually be a
need for medical students entering space medicine to serve as future
doctors in space crews. Who knows, maybe one of the students I've
talked to will get to be one of them.
For those of you who wish to learn more about space medicine, here is a listing of some useful references:
For those of you who wish to learn more about space medicine, here is a listing of some useful references:
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