The head injury could be as obvious as a traumatic accident or as trivial as a minor bump to the head. Blood collects as a mass (hematoma) that presses on the tissues of the brain. This pressure damages the brain tissue and causes loss of brain function that may progressively worsen as the hematoma enlarges and as pressure within the head increases.

The injury and the resulting collection of blood cause inflammation of the brain tissues, which leads to swelling (cerebral edema). This swelling further increases the pressure.

Subdural hematoma often develops as a complication after a head injury. Symptoms of subdural hematoma may develop even after symptoms of the head injury (such as decreased consciousness) have improved.

• Acute subdural hematoma progresses rapidly, with symptoms usually appearing within 24 hours of the injury. Rapid deterioration occurs thereafter.
• Subacute subdural hematoma usually develops symptoms within two to 10 days after the injury because of a slightly slower leakage of blood into the subdural area. Typically, symptoms of the original injury improve for a period, followed by development of symptoms of subdural hematoma.

Risks include:

• Head injury
• Very young or very old age
• Chronic use of aspirin
• Chronic use of anticoagulant medication (blood thinners)
• Alcoholism or chronic alcohol use.
• Any disorder that may result in falling (note: if confusion is a symptom of that disorder, it can mask symptoms of acute/subacute subdural hematoma)

Subdural hematoma can occur in people of all ages. Acute/subacute subdural hematoma is less common, but more often fatal, than chronic subdural hematoma.

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