Getting sick stinks. Getting injured also stinks. But if there’s any comfort to be found when we’re laid up with the flu or a broken leg (but hopefully not both at the same time), it’s that we should be getting better before too long. Bones heal themselves, and the flu will get flushed out of our system eventually. The suffering is temporary, at least. But if the sickness lingers or we end up with complications, then we may have to change the way we approach whatever ailment we deal with. For instance, the flu can be cured at home, but if you actually have pneumonia, you may need to go to a hospital.

Look at the causes

Finding out what got you sick or hurt can sometimes provide answers regarding the best path forward. If you got a cold in the middle of February that just won’t quit, figuring out who gave you that cold is going to be pretty tough. Everyone is sick in January and February. It’s like our immune systems hold on through the holidays, and then just all collectively give up at the same time. Naturally, tracing the source of an injury is easier, because no one just wakes up with a broken bone unless he or she is doing some seriously extreme sleepwalking.

Sometimes we just trip on a raised piece of tile and go splat. Other times, though, there’s clear negligence that results in someone getting hurt. If that someone is you, and if your recovery isn’t going as well as you’d like, then you have some decisions to make. People often talk themselves out of visiting a lawyer because they fear they’ll be seen as greedy or lazy for seeking money for their medical bills and lost wages. There’s a lot of stigma around personal injury suits, and your might not be sure if it’s worth it. Luckily, there are lawyers out there who offer free initial consultations that can be used to determine whether or not you should file a lawsuit. According to the law firm of Thomas, Conrad and Conrad in Bath, PA, auto insurance companies may seem like they want to help you, but they really want to get your case over with without having to pay too much. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company and any other involved parties.

Think outside the box

Sometimes the problem we think we have isn’t really the biggest problem. It may be part of it, but there can also be something else lurking underneath and really messing things up. That’s true with your body as well. You may think you’re over that stomach flu, but if so, why are you still tired all the time? You may be tired because you have a disorder like sleep apnea that messes with your body’s air flow while you’re sleeping. Constant exhaustion could also mean you’ve developed something like Lyme disease, which is treated much differently than something like the flu or a cold.

The best thing you can do is listen to what your body is saying, even if it’s not shouting. If you’re feeling ear pressure and have trouble hearing, you may need a visit to the New Jersey Center for Audiology and see what’s going on. To be clear, sometimes your body feels weak and puny for a while because it’s still recovering from the disease. But if something feels off, then go ahead and see a doctor just for peace of mind.