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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.
Patients who have been on total parenteral nutrition for more than a few days may need to have foods gradually reintroduced to give the digestive tract time to start working again.
Medication errors are more common among seriously ill patients than with those with minor conditions.
The average office desk has 400 times more bacteria on it than a toilet.
In 1844, Charles Goodyear obtained the first patent for a rubber condom.