About Epilepsy

1​ in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime; 1 in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Approximately 55,000 people in Minnesota are living with epilepsy, and it is the 4th most common neurological condition. The number of Americans who have epilepsy is greater than the number who have multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy combined.

Epilepsy, sometimes called a seizure disorder, is a neurological condition of the brain characterized by someone having two or more unprovoked seizures. A seizure is a brief electrical surge in the brain that can cause convulsions, changes in an individual’s behavior, and/or unconsciousness. Everyone is impacted differently. For some, seizures can be managed through medical care and daily medication. For others, epilepsy can limit their ability to work, go to school, drive, or carry out daily tasks.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota provides education, training, and support to individuals living with epilepsy, their families, and communities across the state. Through peer support groups and programs for youth, customized information and referral services, and seizure education, EFMN empowers people with seizures to lead safe and connected lives in pursuit of their passions.

For more information about epilepsy and the support the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota provides, visit EFMN.org.

​Learn basic Seizure First Aid

Whether or not someone has epilepsy, seizures can happen at unpredictable times and in inconvenient locations. Statistically, one in 10 people will have a seizure in their lifetime; the odds are that someone you know will have a seizure.

Knowing how to respond when someone has a seizure is crucial. Most seizures are not a medical emergency, and the general steps to ensure the person having a seizure remains safe are simple.

Watch our short video to learn the basics now.