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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.
Alcohol acts as a diuretic. Eight ounces of water is needed to metabolize just 1 ounce of alcohol.
When blood is exposed to air, it clots. Heparin allows the blood to come in direct contact with air without clotting.
Human stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve small pieces of metal such as razor blades or staples.
According to the FDA, adverse drug events harmed or killed approximately 1,200,000 people in the United States in the year 2015.