What is Sunflower syndrome? Sunflower syndrome also called as photosensitive epilepsy, is a rare, epileptic disorder characterized by highly stereotyped seizures. During these seizures, individuals with Sunflower syndrome turn toward a bright light while simultaneously waving one hand in front of their eyes. This unique behavior is coupled with abrupt lapses in consciousness.

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What causes Sunflower syndrome?

To date, it is not known what causes Sunflower syndrome. However, the disorder is highly stereotyped and typically begins during the first 10 years of life which implies that there may be a genetic component responsible for it. Currently, research is being conducted to identify and understand the underlying genetics involved with this disorder.

A scientific study showed that photosensitivity is associated with hyperexcitability of the visuomotor system in the brain. It was proposed that in photosensitive epilepsy, an intrinsic dysfunction of the cortical-subcortical network that generates the alpha rhythm results in decreased alpha-related inhibition of visual and sensorimotor networks at rest. This disruption triggers the photo paroxysmal (PPR) response. In other words, the photo paroxysmal response (PPR) also referred to as photosensitivity is defined as the abnormal occurrence of cortical spikes or spike and wave discharges on electroencephalogram (EEG) in response to intermittent light stimulation.

What are the symptoms of Sunflower syndrome?

Symptoms of Sunflower syndrome include an initial attraction to bright light, followed by seizure activity that includes episodes of hand waving and distractions of consciousness. As stated above, these episodes typically start before the age of ten. The attraction to light is often observed in the beginning followed by hand-waving incidents due to seizures by days to months.

Patients with Sunflower syndrome can also suffer other types of seizures that include absence seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. For some, tonic-clonic seizures occur after prolonged exposure to bright light and prolonged hand-waving episodes.

Absence Seizures

Absence seizures are transient and do not cause the person to fall or have considerable shaking movements. Typical absence seizures involve a sudden termination of movement, with staring and sometimes with blinking of eyes. Sometimes a minor loss of muscle tone occurs, affecting the person to bend forward or backward a bit. These seizures generally last only 5 to 10 seconds, and the person will not experience any confusion before or after the seizure.

Generalized Tonic–Clonic Seizures

Generalized tonic–clonic seizures begin on both sides of the brain and cause the body to become stiff, called the tonic phase, and then cause the body to convulse, which is known as the clonic phase.

How is Sunflower syndrome diagnosed?

Currently, there is no clinical or laboratory standard for diagnosing Sunflower syndrome. However, individuals with Sunflower syndrome have abnormal electroencephalograms (EEGs) with features consistent with generalized epilepsy. For this reason, the doctor may obtain an EEG.

Natural ways to improve brain function to overcome Sunflower syndrome:

What is Visuomotor Integration: It is the coordination of neuronal activity between visual-related and motor-related parts of the brain to influence behavior and perception. Since Sunflower syndrome is mainly associated with the hyperexcitability of the visuomotor system in the brain, improving the brain health and therefore; its functions would help have a better and significant control over Sunflower syndrome. There are a few ways by which brain function could be improved, they are as listed below;

B vitamins for improving the brain function:

Vitamins B2 and B12 are considered to be significant in improving vision and brain health in human beings. The health benefits of vitamin B2 and B12 are as given below;

Benefits of vitamin B2:

Riboflavin or Vitamin B2, is naturally present in foods and available as a supplement. Bacteria in the gut can also produce small amounts of riboflavin, but it is not enough to meet dietary needs. Riboflavin is a key component of co-enzymes involved with the growth of cells, energy production, and the metabolism of fats. Vitamin B2 is responsible for ensuring the effective functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B2 offers the following health benefits;

It helps access energy
It helps in enhancing the function of the nervous system
It prevents migraines
It prevents anemia
It protects vision

Sources of vitamin B2:

Dairy milk products such as yogurt and cheese
Almonds and other nuts
Peas and Beans
Spinach and
Fish, chicken and eggs
Beef and pork

Benefits of vitamin B12:

Cobalamin, or vitamin B12 can be found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and animal foods. Vitamin B12 is an essential co-factor in producing DNA and the breakdown of both fatty acids and amino acids. It plays an important role in the growth of the red blood cells in the bone marrow and also influences myelin production. Vitamin B12 is responsible for ensuring the effective functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 offers the following health benefits;

It helps in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system
It helps to create and regulate DNA
It improves cognitive functioning of the brain (ability to perceive)
It helps in the formation of red blood cells and the prevention of anemia
It helps in energy production
It prevents congenital abnormalities
It helps protect the eyes from macular weakening

Sources of vitamin B12:

Apples, bananas, oranges and blueberries
Beetroot, butternut squash, mushrooms and potatoes
Dairy milk products such as yogurt and cheese
Fish, chicken, and eggs
Beef and pork

Pranayama for improving the brain function:

Pranayama is an ancient breathing technique that involves controlling breath in distinct ways and at different lengths. Because of the many health benefits pranayama offers, in recent times it has gained more popularity in different parts of the world. Since oxygen is the most vital source of energy the human body needs it for its proper functioning and therefore; pranayama is practiced to help the human body absorb a sufficient amount of oxygen which is then circulated through different body organs & thereby making them healthier and stronger. Pranayama like Anulom Vilom and Nadi Shodhan are considered to be significant enough in elevating the oxygen level of the body and improving the health of the brain.

What is Anulom Vilom pranayama?

Anulom Vilom is a form of alternate nostril breathing. It is a specific type of pranayama, or controlled breathing, in yoga. It involves holding one nostril closed while inhaling and then holding the other nostril closed while exhaling. The process is then reversed and repeated. It is also called balancing or equalization of breath. It is done as a preliminary exercise for Nadi Shodhan pranayama.

What are the benefits of Anulom Vilom Pranayama?

It helps relieve depression, stress, and anxiety
It helps improve the brain function, the cardiovascular and respiratory system
If practiced daily, it can help improve asthma and bronchitis
It improves concentration level and decision-making ability
It helps balancing three doshas of the body that are Vata (energy movement), Pitta (energy of digestion or metabolism), and Kapha (energy of lubrication and structure)
It helps in keeping diabetes at bay

How to practice Anulom Vilom Pranayama

Anulom Vilom should be done on an empty stomach in the morning or the evening preferably 3 hours after you’ve eaten. You should also find a cool and comfortable place and a pleasant environment to practice this pranayama.

Steps to follow:

Sit in a comfortable and stress-free position on the yoga mat with the spine and neck straight and eyes closed. In case of any problem sitting on the floor or yoga mat sit in the chair with the knees folded 90 degrees and feet placed on the ground with the ankles touched and toes placed apart with 45degrees in the toes
Place the outer wrists resting on your knees.
Start breathing naturally and slowly and just watch what is going on in the mind. Don’t judge or think any further about the thoughts appearing in the mind and slowly turn the attention inwards and focus on breathing.
Using the right hand, fold the middle and index fingers toward the palm.
Use the thumb of the right hand to close the right nostril and the ring finger to close the left nostril, as required.
Close the right nostril with the thumb and inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril till the count of 5 or 10 seconds (maximum).
Release the thumb, close the left nostril with the ring finger, and exhale slowly through the right nostril till the count of 5 or 10 seconds.
Equalize inhale and exhale with equal number of counts either 5 or 10 seconds.
Now practice it in reverse i.e. inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left and this completes one cycle.

Practice above steps to complete one round of 10 cycles and as per the comfort one should try to complete at least 1 round as a beginner and extend to maximum up to 3 rounds with regular practice.

What is Nadi Shodhan pranayama?

Nadi Shodan is also known as a powerful breathing practice with wide-reaching benefits. Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning “channel” or “flow” and shodhan means “shudhhi” or “purification.” Therefore, nadi shodhan is primarily aimed at clearing and purifying the subtle channels of the human body. It balances all three doshas and it is the most suitable practice for all.

What are the benefits of Nadi Shodhan Pranayama?

It elevates the oxygen level in the body
It improves the health of the brain
It clears and releases toxins from the body
It calms and revitalizes the nervous system
It helps in balancing hormones
It helps in balancing the left and right hemispheres of the brain
It enhances the ability to concentrate
It clears and strengthens the respiratory channels and the cardiovascular system

How to practice Nadi Shodhan Pranayama?

Nadi Shodhan pranayama should be done on an empty stomach in the morning or the evening preferably 3 hours after you’ve eaten. You should also find a cool and comfortable place and a pleasant environment to practice this pranayama.

Steps to follow:

Sit in a comfortable and stress-free position on the yoga mat with the spine and neck straight and eyes closed. In case of any problem sitting on the floor or yoga mat sit in the chair with the knees folded 90 degrees and feet placed on the ground with the ankles touched and toes placed apart with 45degrees in the toes
Place the outer wrists resting on your knees.
Start breathing naturally and slowly and just watch what is going on in the mind. Don’t judge or think any further about the thoughts appearing in the mind and slowly turn the attention inwards and focus on the breathing.
Use the thumb of the right hand to close the right nostril and the ring finger to close the left nostril, as required.
Breathing is practiced in this pranayama in the ratio 1:4:2 i.e. inhale:hold:exhale meaning if one inhales for 5 seconds then the breath should be held inside by using a Jalandhar bandh i.e. throat lock till 20 seconds and then exhale till 10 seconds.
Close the right nostril with the thumb inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril and hold till the counts as mentioned above.
Release the thumb close the left nostril with the ring finger and exhale slowly through the right nostril till the counts as mentioned above.
After the breathing rate has come to normal practice it in reverse i.e. inhaling through the right nostril, holding the breath inside, and exhaling through the left and this completes one cycle.

Practice the above steps to complete at least 4 to 5 cycles or as per the individual’s comfort per session. As a beginner, one should try to complete at least 2 cycles per session and for more benefit extend it to a maximum number of cycles with regular practice.

Special note: Pranayama must be practiced under the guidance of recognized health experts.

Conclusion:

Among all sources of energy, oxygen is considered to be the most vital source which is quite essential for us to stay physically and mentally fit. Vitamin B12 helps produce red blood cells in the blood through which oxygen is circulated through various organs of our body. Oxygen provides energy to our body also, it helps in burning our body fat and thereby helps the body organs and hence the entire body stay fit & be ready to stay unaffected both due to internal adverse conditions and external adverse conditions like viral infection and Sunflower syndrome.

Significant Note:

Following natural healing practices in our lives results in our overall well-being and consequently, nurture our relation with the natural world. Natural remedies are powerful and they could be considered as useful and effective substitutes for professional allopathic medical care and practices.

However, before resorting to any natural healing program, especially when we are on any medications or have any treatment going on for our existing health conditions we must always consult our concerned healthcare experts so that, considering the limitations of our health or whether we are allergic to certain remedies we can have significant guidance of our health experts.

By adopting natural remedies and believing in their healing power we can enhance our physical and mental health leading to a more balanced and satisfying life. We must respect traditional practices and religiously follow natural healing practices for the benefit of mankind and nature.

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