|
|
For about 100 years, scientists thought that peptic ulcers were caused by stress, spicy food, and alcohol. Later, researchers added stomach acid to the list of causes and began treating ulcers with antacids. Now it is known that peptic ulcers are predominantly caused by Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that normally exist in the stomach.
Cytomegalovirus affects nearly the same amount of newborns every year as Down syndrome.
More than 2,500 barbiturates have been synthesized. At the height of their popularity, about 50 were marketed for human use.
Liver spots have nothing whatsoever to do with the liver. They are a type of freckles commonly seen in older adults who have been out in the sun without sufficient sunscreen.
This year, an estimated 1.4 million Americans will have a new or recurrent heart attack.