Lifestyle

6 Signs of a Slow Brain Bleed That Are Easy to Mistake for Getting Older

By Mike Harper · November 4, 2026

A bump on the head can seem like nothing at the time. For older adults, though, even a minor knock can start a slow bleed on the surface of the brain that does not show itself for weeks.

It is called a chronic subdural hematoma, and it is more common in people older than 65, according to Cleveland Clinic. The bleeding happens slowly, symptoms may not appear for weeks or months, and a person may not even remember the injury that caused it.

The reason has to do with aging itself. As we age, the brain shrinks inside the skull, Cleveland Clinic explains, and the tiny veins between the skull and brain stretch. MedlinePlus says that in older adults those veins are often already stretched and are more easily injured, so blood can leak and collect.

Because it comes on slowly, a chronic subdural hematoma might be mistaken for other conditions, such as a brain tumor, stroke or dementia, Cleveland Clinic says. These are six signs the major health sources list:

A headache that will not quit. The UK’s National Health Service lists a bad headache that does not get better after taking painkillers.

Confusion. MedlinePlus and the NHS both list confusion, and Cleveland Clinic adds disorientation and personality changes for the chronic type.

Memory trouble. MedlinePlus lists decreased memory. It also says older adults should receive medical care if they show signs of memory problems or mental decline, even if they do not seem to have an injury.

Unusual drowsiness. Drowsiness is on both the MedlinePlus and NHS lists.

Weakness or numbness. MedlinePlus lists weakness or numbness of the arms, legs or face, and Cleveland Clinic lists weakness on one side of the body.

Balance, speech or swallowing problems. The NHS lists loss of balance and having falls, along with slurred speech and problems with swallowing.

Some people face a higher risk. MedlinePlus lists medicines that thin the blood, such as warfarin or aspirin, long-term alcohol use and repeated head injury, such as from falls.

What to do matters as much as what to watch for. “Get medical help right away after a head injury. Do not delay,” MedlinePlus says, and it calls a subdural hematoma a medical emergency. It says to call 911 or go to an emergency room after a head injury. That advice is worth remembering if you take a blood thinner, which MedlinePlus lists as a risk factor.

The good news is that this type can often be treated. Chronic subdural hematomas have better outcomes in most cases, according to MedlinePlus, and symptoms often go away after the blood is drained. Some people may need emergency surgery to relieve pressure on the brain, often by drilling a small hole in the skull to drain the blood.

Prevention starts with falls. MedlinePlus advises that older people be particularly careful to avoid falls. If a parent or partner seems more confused or unsteady than usual over a few weeks, think back to any recent bump or fall and mention it to their doctor.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.