Two years ago, my wife and I were in a roll-over accident. She suffered a fractured pelvis and was bedridden for 6 weeks. I walked away with what I thought were only minor cuts and bruises. Twenty-one days later while caring for her, I suddenly lost control of my right hand and arm. It lasted less than half an hour. I thought, ‘Is this a stroke?’ Since it was the weekend, I ignored it.
The next day it happened again, and I fessed up to my wife and went straight to my doctor. He ordered an immediate MRI which diagnosed a subdural hematoma, and I was sent to a neurosurgeon in Guadalajara who drilled two burr holes in my skull and released the pressure of blood seeping into my brain.
I later learned a childhood friend had rolled his riding mower, went to a rural hospital, and never received an MRI. He died a week later from what I believe was an undiagnosed brain bleed. Recently, another friend who had fallen two months earlier on vacation in Europe suddenly lost movement on one side of his body and was unable to walk. After an MRI, they discovered he had a brain bleed requiring immediate surgery.
A subdural hematoma is a bleed on the surface of the brain. It can develop after even a small hit to the head – a trip on uneven pavement, a bump on a cabinet, or a low-speed accident. In older adults, the brain naturally shrinks a bit with age, stretching tiny veins inside the skull. These veins can tear more easily, even from what we’d call “nothing.”
The danger is that symptoms often don’t appear right away. They may build over days, weeks or even months. Warning signs can be subtle, come and go, and look unrelated to an injury.
Delayed symptoms may include:
Temporary weakness or clumsiness
Slurred speech
Confusion or personality changes
Poor balance
Persistent headaches
Sudden hand or arm problems (even if they go away)
Many people shrug these off and blame them on age or wait for them to clear up on their own. Waiting can be fatal. Seniors are more vulnerable to brain bleeds after a fall because of:
Natural brain shrinkage
Fragile blood vessels
Higher fall risk
Blood thinners (like aspirin, Eliquis, Plavix, or warfarin)
This is why a seemingly small fall can be much more serious for someone over 60. The tragedy is not that falls happen – it’s that dangerous brain bleeds are often missed because no one orders a scan. In hospitals without CT or MRI equipment, or when symptoms seem mild, patients may get treated for pain or dizziness and sent home. The bleed continues quietly. Subdural hematoma (SDH) deaths vary by type (acute/chronic) and age. According to the American Heart Association, up to 10,000 people die annually just in the US alone. So, I have a simple message; if you or someone you know hits their head and is over 60, ask directly: ‘Do we need a CT or MRI?’
Especially if:
They are on blood thinners
They lose consciousness – even briefly
New symptoms appear, even up to several months later
They feel “off” or unusually tired
Weakness, confusion, or balance problems show up
Falls are common. Brain bleeds are silent. But timely imaging can prevent disability and death and here in Ajijic an MRI is very inexpensive, about $300 US.
My surgery saved my life. My friend who received no MRI never had a chance. Another friend was saved because they and the doctors acted quickly. The difference wasn’t luck – it was awareness and a scan. If there is a fall with a head impact, ask for imaging – even up to several months later. It is better to have a clear scan than a silent, potentially deadly bleed.
Discover trusted local services and hidden gems with our easy-to-use online directory.
- When a Small Fall Isn’t Small at All - March 31, 2026
