Diverticular Disease

Myths about Digestive Disorders

Researchers have only recently begun to understand the many, often complex diseases that affect the digestive system. Accordingly, people are gradually replacing folklore, old wives' tales, and rumors about the causes and treatments of digestive diseases with accurate, up-to-date information. But misunderstandings still exist, and while some folklore is harmless, some can be dangerous if it keeps a person from correctly preventing or treating an illness. Listed below is a common misconception (fallacy), about a digestive disease, followed by the facts as professionals understand them today.

All Digestive Diseases

Prevalence: 60 to 70 million people affected by all digestive diseases (1996)
Mortality: 234,000 deaths, including deaths from cancer (2002)
Hospitalizations: 14 million—9 percent (2002)