"Research in Astronauts Sheds Light on Rare Fainting Disorder" - Tamara Mathias
An intervention used to treat astronauts has relevance for people on the ground with medical conditions that cause repeated fainting, researchers say. Astronauts newly returned to Earth commonly have episodes of lightheadedness and fainting. However researchers have found in the past that daily exercise in space and intravenous saline solution to boost blood volume upon landing seem to prevent these episodes under test conditions. Although this astronaut study considered data from just 12 people, it’s promising, said Prashant Vaishnava, MD, assistant professor of medicine and cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He added, “To expect two hours of (exercise) training from real-world patients or ourselves may be unrealistic.”
— Prashant Vaishnava, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Cardiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Additional coverage: Physician's Weekly; MD Alert; Netscape