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Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. About 10% of Americans older than age 40 years have diverticulosis, which, when the pouches become infected or inflamed, is called diverticulitis. The main cause of diverticular disease is a low-fiber diet.
Nearly 31 million adults in America have a total cholesterol level that is more than 240 mg per dL.
In 1864, the first barbiturate (barbituric acid) was synthesized.
Cytomegalovirus affects nearly the same amount of newborns every year as Down syndrome.
Inotropic therapy does not have a role in the treatment of most heart failure patients. These drugs can make patients feel and function better but usually do not lengthen the predicted length of their lives.