Answers To Seizure Question After Coach Kill's Episode

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Gophers Head Coach Jerry Kill is in good condition after he suffered a seizure during the last seconds of the team's first home game on Saturday.

Seeing the leader of the Golden Gophers on the ground was shocking for all who packed into TCF Bank Stadium.

"I see it every day in my job and it is a scary thing," said Dr. Ellie Choi, fourth year resident at Hennepin County Medical Center.

Choi said watching someone have a seizure is traumatic but seizures are more common than most people think.

"It is estimated that about 0.5 to 1 percent of the general population have what we call epilepsy or recurrent seizures," said Choi.

She said seizure is a change in our behavior because of some dysfunction in our brain. It can either be provoked by a past medical problem or unprovoked.

It's believed Kill's seizure was provoked. He warned his team of the possibility that he could have a seizure because of his battle with cancer.

"The key is to make sure that we know what the reasons are why they have the seizures," Choi said.

She said several factors come into play when determining how long it takes to recover from a seizure.

"It really depends on what your reserves are ... Do you have other medical stuff that is going on that can determine how much time it takes for you to recover," said Choi.

In most cases, a couple of days rest and a person will be fine. Choi said seizures can be controlled.

"We have medications that are available. That's why we have neurologists to help these patients live a healthy, normal life," she said.

Choi said if you are ever around someone having a seizure, the best thing to do is make sure their surroundings are clear so they don't hurt themselves.

The last seizure Kill had during a game, he was back coaching the very next week.