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Greyswandir t1_iyks68l wrote

Edit: I noticed after typing this that your question is about prophylaxis. So presumably you mean before they launch. My bad.

I don’t know what current practice was, but when I was in university one of the professors I worked for was working with NASA on a stimulation device to prevent osteoporosis. They had found that small amounts of vibration help stave off bone loss more than high impact so he developed a belt/harness you could wear covered in small vibrating motors to help reduce bone loss. As far as muscle loss, the astronauts already undergo an exercise regime to help reduce muscle (and bone) loss.

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ERDRCR OP t1_iymjatd wrote

That’s interesting- you thought prophylactic as in before launch. I thought prophylactic as in before disease sets in, but while they are in space. As in, treat them like post-menopausal women with Vitamin D and Miacalcin or alendronate.

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Greyswandir t1_iympq5j wrote

Ok, I got interested enough that I reached out to my friend who does spacesuit engineering for NASA. She says she’s not aware* of any drugs they take for that purpose while in space. They focus on exercise instead. She speculates this could be an interesting clinical trial.

*Although she adds that what meds the astronauts take wouldn’t really be her area so it’s possible they do and she doesn’t know about it. A different friend in that chat who works in healthcare points out that a lot of anti-osteoporotic meds can cause kidney stones, which would be really bad in space.

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Greyswandir t1_iynaaci wrote

Ok, my NASA friends have got your back! Here is the official NASA roadmap for research about mitigating bone loss related fracture risks, and here is the specific section that discusses prevention mitigation.

Regarding medication they say that since there is a very low chance of a bone breaking on current missions, pharmaceuticals are currently considered a plan B for use on future exploration/longer term missions and their use will be reconsidered/researched as those become more likely.

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tobi437u t1_iyt8jj8 wrote

Yes, astronauts in orbit for long periods can be prophylactically treated with medications for osteoporosis and muscle-stimulating medicines to prevent atrophy. In fact, this is already being done. Astronauts often take a combination of medications, including bisphosphonates, to prevent bone loss due to low gravity and muscle-stimulating medications to prevent muscle loss. Exercise is also an important part of preventing bone and muscle loss in astronauts, and many astronauts take part in regular exercise during their missions.

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MaliTheMinecraftCat t1_iync4fl wrote

Yes, astronauts who spend long periods in orbit can be prophylactically treated with medications for osteoporosis and other conditions that can arise as a result of prolonged exposure to microgravity. It is well known that microgravity can cause a range of negative health effects, including loss of bone density and muscle atrophy. To help combat these effects, astronauts on long-duration missions are typically given a variety of medications and supplements to help maintain their health. This may include medications to prevent osteoporosis, as well as other treatments to help maintain muscle mass and strength. Additionally, astronauts are also required to perform regular exercise and other physical activities while in orbit to help combat the negative effects of microgravity on their bodies.

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GodlySignificance t1_iyq0dx1 wrote

Yes, it is possible for astronauts in orbit to be prophylactically treated with medications to prevent osteoporosis and muscle atrophy. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle, and it is a common problem among astronauts who spend long periods of time in microgravity.
To prevent osteoporosis, astronauts can be treated with medications that help to maintain bone density, such as bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators. These medications can help to prevent bone loss and keep the bones strong, even in the absence of gravity.
Similarly, astronauts can be treated with medications and exercise regimens to prevent muscle atrophy. In microgravity, the muscles can lose mass and strength, which can affect an astronaut's ability to perform tasks and maintain physical health. By using medications and exercise to stimulate muscle growth, astronauts can prevent muscle atrophy and maintain their muscle mass and strength.
Overall, it is possible for astronauts to be prophylactically treated with medications to prevent osteoporosis and muscle atrophy. These treatments can help to maintain bone density and muscle mass, and they can be essential for maintaining the health and wellbeing of astronauts in microgravity.

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