I would like my readers to give me their opinions on this issue. If you haven’t read the previous postings, please do this before giving me your opinion. I still feel banks and credit card companies “freezing” a certain amount on the checking account until the debit is paid has to be illegal. They are holding your account ransom until the debit goes through, BUT they don’t take the freeze off for days, causing those overdraft fees the bank so greedily grabs. Yes, most banks will reverse the fee if you ask, but some people don’t know this and won’t question it. Please email me. I will respond and I will do whatever is in my power to do regarding this concern. As I get responses I will update this information.

I also reached Mr. Becker, who is a representative of Shell. He told me banks will do this type of freeze, but it’s mainly because the credit card companies who issue the debit cards insist this be done. In my case it’s a Mastercard. The gas stations have no ability to reach into the bank accounts to put this freeze on the account. Mastercard (and Visa) do this because they are not getting their fees due to the person using the card as a debit card. So they attach the freeze onto the checking account, hoping to trap the person using the card. Mr. Becker told me he feels this is illegal. I totally agree.

I was also told by the local legislature representative’s office to file a complaint through the attorney generals office. I did this last evening. I also intend to file with the Better Business Bureau and the FTC. I am also going to post on Ripoffreports.com and Consumerist.com. No one should be ripped off like I was.

I believe imposing a fee on unsuspecting consumers is not right. In fact it should be downright illegal. I will continue to inform my readers of information received regarding using a debit card at a gas station pump. Check your local stations and see if there are any postings either on the pumps or inside the gas station to inform customers a freeze will be put on their checking account if they use a debit card at the pump. I found 1 station out of 3 who had such a sticker on their pumps.

I did learn by going onto the Internet that I am not the only person this has happened to. If you want to read more just Goggle debit card + gas and you will find the information. I intend to go back to that Shell station and complain. I don’t know if it will do me any good, but I would certainly feel better getting it off my chest. If enough people complain maybe the gas stations will stop this practice. I feel it is not only unfair but should be illegal. Pass this on to all your family and friends. Let them know this could happen to them. I was lucky enough not to have more than $35 deducted. Some people ended up bouncing a lot of checks and incurred high overdraft fees. Be careful since there are too many companies out there trying to rip off the people who can’t afford to have this happen. With gas prices as high as they are right now, it seems to just be another way to aggravate the situation.

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix when bacteria multiplies, usually caused by the opening of the appendix being blocked or a gastrointestinal viral infection. If left untreated, it can rupture and even result in death. Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency, so it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of appendicitis and how to get help.

Steps

1. Observe any pain in the abdominal region. If the pain is severe, call a doctor immediately. If the pain is moderate or mild, pay close attention. Usually appendicitis pain begins at the belly button. Eventually, the pain will move to your lower right abdomen. However, the pain may also be felt in other parts of the belly, so don’t rule out appendicitis just because it doesn’t follow the typical “path”. You may feel the pain somewhere other than the typical spot. If the pain doesn’t go away after four hours, call a doctor.
   • The pain might get worse when you move, walk or cough.
   • It will usually become sharper and more severe over time as inflammation spreads to nearby tissues.
   • The pain might be eased a bit when you lay on your side and pull your knees up to your chest.
2. Avoid laxatives and pain medication if appendicitis is suspected.
3. Do the pressure check. Gently apply pressure to the area of pain and release the pressure quickly. If you have appendicitis, the area will feel tender when you apply pressure to it. When you quickly release the pressure, the pain will be a little worse due to rebound tenderness.
4. Check for other symptoms of appendicitis. Not everyone experiences the classic symptoms, but knowing what they are will help to recognize appendicitis if they do appear.[1]
   • Loss of appetite
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Abdominal Swelling
   • Constipation
   • Diarrhea
   • Back pain
   • Tenesmus (the feeling that a bowel movement will relieve discomfort)
5. Get medical attention sooner rather than later. This is especially important with children, who are more likely to get a ruptured appendix than adults are. Their symptoms aren’t always typical, and it’s easy to dismiss appendix pain as a stomach ache–if at all suspicious that it’s appendicitis, call a doctor. There are other conditions which exhibit similar symptoms but which are serious and warrant medical attention as well, such as diverticulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and kidney disease.

Tips

• The most serious complication of appendicitis is rupture, which can lead to peritonitis, a dangerous infection that happens when bacteria and other contents of the torn appendix leak into the sterile abdomen cavity(peritoneum), and an abscess, a swollen mass filled with fluid and bacteria.
• Many women who develop appendicitis during pregnancy do not experience the classic symptoms. The third trimester poses the most risk.
• Toddlers with appendicitis sometimes have trouble eating and may seem unusually sleepy.
• People who have special conditions may not experience the classic symptoms of appendicitis and just having a general feeling of being ill and unwell. The special conditions include:
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • H.I.V. virus
  • Cancer and/or receiving chemotherapy
  • Transplanted organ
  • Pregnancy
  • Infants and young children
  • Elderly

Warnings

• Don’t ever delay getting medical attention if you suspect appendicitis. A ruptured appendix can be fatal.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/appendicitis/DS00274/DSECTION=1
• http://www.medicinenet.com/appendicitis/article.htm

1. ? http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/appendicitis/#1

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Recognize the Symptoms of Appendicitis. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Over the years I have felt angry right before bed time, but I shelve the thought, pushing it aside and thinking of the good things that happened that particular day or evening. The anger will be gone in the morning. If not, then you need to look deeper into why you got angry in the first place. Calming yourself will help with blood pressure and keeping a terrible headache from attacking you. It may help to sit down and write the reasons you were angry and who you were angry with. Then read over what you wrote and try to come up with solutions to de-anger yourself.

Think about this. It makes sense to go to bed in a good mood. Sleep comes easier, you get a better sleep, and your dreams won’t be nightmares! Try it. You might like shelving the anger.

You may be at risk if you have a history of low impact fractures, even among family members. If you are thin, use steroid therapy for over 3 months, have a low lifetime calcium or Vitamin D intake, don’t do much physical activity, and frequent alcohol consumption. A bone density test would determine your risk for osteoporosis. Ask you doctor at your next visit.