The word homeostasis comes from the Latin roots homeo, meaning similar, and stasis, meaning condition. Homeostasis is the ability of the body to keep everything in balance. It’s important for the body to always monitor what is going on, correcting functions that are out of balance and bringing them back to normal. Homeostasis and regulation … Continue reading Spotlight On: Homeostasis
Balance
You Don’t Have to Leave the Stratosphere to Feel Like You’ve Been in Space
Astronaut Scott Kelly came back from 340 days in space two inches taller. Along with height, many aspects of the body change because of the weightlessness environment of space. The body loses muscle, heart and bone mass because it no longer has to support itself as it does on Earth. There is also no feeling … Continue reading You Don’t Have to Leave the Stratosphere to Feel Like You’ve Been in Space
No More Motion Sickness! Tips for Finding Your Steady State
Summer vacation season brings distress to a number of people who suffer from motion sickness. Motion sickness causes a variety of symptoms, including queasiness, sweating and pale skin color. Some people also experience fatigue and, occasionally, vomiting. We still don’t know why people get motion sickness, but the circumstances that produce the condition are well … Continue reading No More Motion Sickness! Tips for Finding Your Steady State
Rebalancing the Balance System
Walking heel-to-toe in a straight line is not much of a test if our balance faculties are intact. However, it is a tough task for astronauts just returning to Earth. Many astronauts say they feel unsteady when they come back to gravity after being in the weightlessness environment of space. How does balance depend on … Continue reading Rebalancing the Balance System