Medical Care in Microgravity

By Tina Beychok

Early reports of altitude decompression sickness using altitude chamber exposure indicated that women were more susceptible than men to this medical condition. An article published in the January issue of Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine appears to contradict these findings by showing that there is no gender difference in altitude decompression sickness.

The researchers conducted 961 altitude chamber decompression tests of up to eight hours on 197 men and 94 women. During the test, subjects were asked to breathe 100% oxygen, perform mild or strenuous exercise, or rest.

There was no significant difference in rates of decompression sickness between men and women. However, among all subjects, those with the highest body mass and the lowest level of physical fitness had a higher rate of decompression sickness. Hopefully, these findings will help with optimal astronaut selection.

Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine can be found online.

Tina Beychok is a medical editor and is married to OASIS president Steve Bartlett. When not working as a space activist, she teaches fencing at Renaissance Fairs and greatly enjoys allowing five-year-olds to poke holes in her.