Sitting for long hours at the desk? Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pushkar Chawla shares how to protect the back and spine Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:58:18 IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Poor posture at work can lead to problems with the back and the spine
A patient once told me that her blood sugar reading in the morning was higher than the one she had taken after dinner the night before. She hadn’t eaten a single thing. “How is this even possible?" she asked. “I haven’t had breakfast yet." That question comes up in my clinic almost every
Step inside the regal Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, where a one-night stay will cost you ₹4 lakh: Watch Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:37 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A look inside the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad
Every year at about this point in the rains, the same sequence plays out. Outpatient departments fill with feverish patients, a city announces a jump in confirmed cases, television rediscovers the phrase “swine flu," and within a fortnight the anxiety has moved on to something else
Onam gifting is often about more than simply handing over a box of sweets. The festival brings families and friends together, and a well-chosen hamper can combine traditional flavours with attractive packaging to make the occasion more special
‘Walking is one of the most underrated things’: Geriatric doctor says you don't need to join a gym to start exercising Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:52:55 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Read more to find out why walking is an underrated form of exercise! (Unsplash)
There are few things as satisfying as biting into a buttery, flaky almond croissant, especially when you get that rich almond flavour, creamy frangipane filling and slightly crisp, toasted edges in every bite. But when a croissant craving hits and you don’t have a bakery run planned—or all the
Erling Haaland debuts new buzz haircut after chopping his iconic blonde locks: ‘+999 missed calls from shampoo company’ Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 08:58:32 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Erling Haaland debuts a fresh, new buzz cut
Trauma On The Brain: How Natural Crises Leave Lasting Imprints On Neurological Health
Trauma On The Brain: How Natural Crises Leave Lasting Imprints On Neurological Health
When floods, earthquakes, or pandemics strike, the damage is immediately visible collapsed homes, uprooted trees, shattered lives. Yet, beneath the visible wreckage lies another kind of destruction, one that unfolds silently inside the human brain. Natural disasters not only disrupt physical environments but also leave lasting neurological imprints, reshaping how the brain functions long after the event has passed.
Trauma Changes the Brain's Architecture
According to Dr Jayanth S. S., Consultant Neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, “Severe stress may change the connections between crucial brain regions such as the amygdala and the hippocampus, which regulate fear and memory." This disruption can trap survivors in a mental replay of the traumatic event. One flood survivor from Karnataka described feeling “mentally trapped in replay," as if her brain refused to move beyond the experience even after the waters receded.
Such changes interfere with focus, decision-making, and emotional balance. “Trauma rewires neural pathways," explains Dr. Jayanth, “and the altered brain circuits can make it difficult to distinguish between real danger and remembered fear."
Sleep Disturbance: The Brain's Early Warning System
Among survivors, one of the most common and telling symptoms is disturbed sleep. “Nightmares, panic awakenings, or insomnia are not just signs of distress, they are the brain's neurological SOS," says Dr. Jayanth. Sleep is when the brain restores itself, and when this repair mechanism is disrupted, the brain remains on high alert. Over time, this can weaken its ability to handle future stress and increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Dr. Anuvinda Sadanandan, Consultant Psycho-Oncologist, Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, echoes this observation, “Sleep interruption is the brain's signal that it's still locked in survival mode. Without proper rest, the brain cannot process emotions or memories effectively, worsening mood swings and stress."
PTSD: Where Mind and Body Intersect
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is increasingly being recognized not just as a psychological condition but as a neurological and physiological one. “Under disaster-induced stress, the brain's alarm center, the amygdala goes into overdrive, while the prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational thinking, temporarily shuts down," explains Dr. Anuvinda. This imbalance may persist long after the crisis, leaving survivors feeling constantly tense, anxious, or emotionally numb.
As Dr. Jayanth notes, “The secretion of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline doesn't just affect mood, it alters body chemistry." These changes can contribute to physical illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, reinforcing how deeply the mind and body are interlinked.
Children: The Most Vulnerable Brains
Both experts highlight that children often bear the deepest and longest-lasting neurological scars. “Early trauma can interfere with a child's emotional regulation, learning capacity, and overall brain development," warns Dr. Jayanth. Teachers in disaster-hit areas often report children with poor attention spans, erratic moods, and learning difficulties, subtle signs of disrupted brain function.
Dr. Anuvinda adds, “Children's developing brains are like soft clay, they absorb the shock more deeply. Yet, with love, stability, and a sense of safety, they also show the highest potential for recovery."
The Path to Healing: Rewiring the Brain
Despite the profound impact of trauma, the brain's plasticity, its ability to reorganize and form new connections offers hope. “Therapy, mindfulness, and timely medication can help rebuild disrupted neural circuits," says Dr. Jayanth. Recognizing that trauma recovery is not just psychological but neurological is the first step to true healing.
From a psychological perspective, Dr. Anuvinda emphasizes the importance of holistic therapies: “Mindfulness, yoga, grounding techniques, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) all help the brain retrain itself to be calm and restore a sense of safety."
Rebuilding Beyond the Physical
Ultimately, both specialists agree that disaster recovery must go beyond rebuilding homes and infrastructure. “Reconstruction should also include neurological and emotional rehabilitation," says Dr. Jayanth, “because the most critical rebuilding happens within the mind."
As Dr. Anuvinda poignantly concludes, “The marks disasters leave on the earth, cracked walls, broken bridges, uprooted trees eventually heal with time. But the quieter wounds in the brain need attention, compassion, and care to truly rebuild the human spirit."
Source: News18
Related Posts: trauma and the brain, neurological impact of disasters, PTSD recovery, brain health after trauma, natural disaster mental health, amygdala stress response
Parents should check medicine labels carefully before giving cough or cold remedies to young children. The Union Health Ministry has restricted all fixed-dose combination medicines containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride from being used in children below four years of
12 hours ago
Tandoori chicken should be smoky and seared on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside. But it can often turn out dry, rubbery and lacking flavour, even when you’ve used all the right spices. The problem may not be the recipe itself, but a few small mistakes during preparation and cooking
1 days ago
Want to know how healthy your heart is? Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj lists 9 blood tests for ‘cardiovascular risk’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:34:50 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dr. Bhojraj highlights nine blood tests to assess cardiovascular health
1 days ago
We tend to think of constipation as a plumbing problem: eat more fibre, drink more water, take isabgol and wait for things to move. For occasional constipation, that approach can be perfectly reasonable. But when constipation keeps returning despite these measures
1 days ago
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, but its biggest known cause is persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which is closely linked to sexual transmission. While HPV itself is not caused by men
1 days ago
Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026: An obstacle does not necessarily mean you are on the wrong path Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:49:03 IST By Kishori Sud Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026 (Pinterest) Daily Chakra Horoscope, August 23
1 days ago
Dahi vade may not be the first dish that comes to mind when planning a Sawan Somwar vrat menu, but Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s fasting-friendly version gives the classic snack a clever twist. Instead of lentils, these vade are made with cooked barnyard millet, also known as sama or samak
1 days ago
59-year-old grandmother and Roadies 20 contestant Ashu Jain shares 5 hacks that helped her 'build gym habits that stick’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 10:12:34 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ashu Jain is not just a grandmother — she's a 'hybrid athlete'
1 days ago
Could artificial intelligence compress decades of medical progress into just a few years? Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei believes advanced AI systems may soon transform how we fight cancer, Alzheimer’s and other major diseases. Amodei has predicted that AI-enabled biology could compress 50 to 100
1 days ago
Look out of an aircraft window as it descends into Chennai and the coastline is the first thing that catches your eye. A long blue-grey edge against the city, with the sea on one side and the sprawling city on the other. From up there, it looks permanent
1 days ago
Soha Ali Khan, along with her husband Kunal Khemu, is known for setting couple goals through their fitness content. The couple have consistently shared videos showing their workouts in the gym, how they parent their kids together, the healthy food they eat without compromising on taste
1 days ago
As Onam 2026 approaches, here is our curated guide from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru covering everything from elaborate restaurant thalis to convenient takeaway sadya boxes. We consult chefs on how they are reimagining the traditional sadya; we ask celebrities how
1 days ago
Raksha Bandhan is all about celebrating the special bond between siblings. This year, show your siblings how much you mean to them and make the occasion sweeter by making everyone’s favourite kalakand at home. If you are looking for a festive dessert that is indulgent yet skips refined sugar
1 days ago
Thirty-nine-year-old Shivendra came in with what looked like an ordinary monsoon fever. Fifteen days later, he was still in hospital, only being discharged now after being diagnosed with H1N1-related pneumonia. His wife, Poonam, said the family did not take the fever seriously at first. “Actually
1 days ago
Postpartum pain is NOT just ‘normal’: Physiotherapist Muskan Rastogi reveals all about pelvic floor recovery Postpartum recovery involves more than just pain management; it includes pelvic floor rehabilitation to restore strength and reduce discomfort for new mothers. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug has been arrested in the US state of Texas on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and illegal possession of a firearm. Allen County Police confirmed to BBC Newsbeat the 28-year-old, whose real name is Xavier Landum, was stopped on Friday
1 days ago
44-year-old fitness coach shares simple exercises that help her look ‘15 years younger’ Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 13:24:38 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Fitness coach shares 4 simple exercises to improve posture and look more youthful. (Instagram/@sascha
2 days ago
The Madhya Pradesh Health Department has ordered a high-level medical and legal investigation after a 6 woman from Ujjain died following treatment at a private hospital in Indore. She had tested positive for H1N1 influenza, commonly called swine flu
2 days ago
No food after 6 pm to boxing: Inside Dua Lipa’s fitness routine and fasting rules for toned body on her 31st birthday Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 14:11:05 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dua Lipa turned 31 on August 22, 2026
2 days ago
The DJ dropped the beat and 70 women started throwing punches. By the time the first kickboxing combination was called out, Moon Bar, a Visakhapatnam club had shed its weekend persona to turn into a makeshift fitness floor, with women punching, kicking
2 days ago
A couple of years ago, when Osman Abdul Razak was being fitted for a suit by Yuki Igarashi, founder of Japan-based menswear brand Lecteur, he recalls being struck by how neatly Yuki’s pins were arranged on his pin cushion. “As an onlooker there, I couldn’t help but analyse this precision
2 days ago
Baro Market is coming to Chennai with a pop-up bringing together fashion, craft, art, accessories and lifestyle products, with a focus on conscious living and handcrafted design. Curated by Srila Chatterjee, the showcase marks her third pop-up in the city
2 days ago
Step inside ₹200 crore royal residence in Hyderabad: Shaped like a scorpion and home to 'world's longest dining table' Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 10:22:41 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link The palace in the shape of a scorpion: Here's a virtual tour of the magnificent
2 days ago
On Fourth Trust Link Street at Santhome in Mylapore, a piece of vacant land cheek by jowl with a Greater Chennai Corporation-run middle school was being armtwisted every day into functioning as a garbage dumping spot by residents and passersby
2 days ago
The rise in H1N1 cases across Delhi-NCR is prompting fresh concern among doctors as some patients develop severe breathing difficulties and falling oxygen levels. While swine flu often causes flu-like symptoms, it can sometimes progress to serious respiratory complications
2 days ago
Happy Birthday Chiranjeevi: Telugu cinema icon Chiranjeevi has spent more than four decades building one of Indian cinema’s most enduring careers. From his breakthrough years to becoming the industry’s celebrated Megastar, the actor has continued taking on demanding roles that require energy
2 days ago
Have high cholesterol? Nutritionist lists 9 heart-friendly cooking oil options Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 11:00:04 IST By Aayushi Gupta Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Cooking oils that may help manage cholesterol and support heart health
2 days ago
