A stroke can sometimes have warning signs weeks or even a month beforehand. These signs are subtle and often dismissed as everyday fatigue or stress. Here are a few unusual or persistent changes that could indicate a stroke is imminent.

Strange dizziness. Dizziness is often caused by skipping meals, dehydration, or standing up too quickly. However, according to the American Stroke Association, sudden dizziness, especially a spinning sensation or difficulty maintaining balance, can be a warning sign of an impending stroke, particularly in the back of the brain. This dizziness may last longer than usual or occur without any apparent reason. It might feel different from typical lightheadedness, more like a sudden internal disorientation that affects coordination. This type of dizziness, if recurring quietly and persistently, could indicate an underlying vascular issue.

Unexplained fatigue. Most people associate fatigue with a heavy workload, lack of sleep, or emotional exhaustion. Some stroke survivors report experiencing profound fatigue for weeks leading up to their stroke. It's not the usual post-lunch drowsiness, but a strange heaviness, as if the body is shutting down. Muscles may also feel sluggish, making it difficult to perform normal functions. This extreme fatigue could stem from the brain working harder to compensate for disrupted blood flow or small blood clots forming silently.

Persistent headaches. Frequent headaches are commonly linked to stress, migraines, or insomnia. However, unusual headaches, especially if they become more frequent, intense, or don't respond to usual treatments, could signal an abnormality in the brain. These headaches might feel like pressure on one side of the head or a dull throbbing pain behind the eye. Unlike typical migraines, these appear with other suspicious symptoms. This could be due to small blood clots or narrowing arteries reducing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

Numbness or tingling, primarily on one side. Sleeping on an arm, sitting uncomfortably, or a pinched nerve often cause numbness or tingling. When numbness or tingling occurs only on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg), it could be a warning sign. This is one of the earliest neurological symptoms of reduced blood flow to the brain. While fleeting numbness might be overlooked, persistent or unusual numbness could indicate a silent transient ischemic attack (TIA), a strong predictor of a future stroke.

Sudden blurred vision. Blurred vision, double vision, or difficulty focusing isn't always due to excessive screen time or eye problems. When blood supply to the brain is compromised, vision is often one of the first areas affected. This can cause sudden blurred vision or temporary vision loss. While normal visual disturbances occur without eye pain, appearing briefly and disappearing within minutes, if they keep recurring, especially in one eye or accompanied by dizziness, it could be a sign of a TIA preceding a stroke.

Bao Bao (Times of India)