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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.
In most climates, 8 to 10 glasses of water per day is recommended for adults. The best indicator for adequate fluid intake is frequent, clear urination.
Most childhood vaccines are 90–99% effective in preventing disease. Side effects are rarely serious.
There are over 65,000 known species of protozoa. About 10,000 species are parasitic.
Cancer has been around as long as humankind, but only in the second half of the twentieth century did the number of cancer cases explode.