CNN reports that brand name proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium^®, Prevacid^®, Prilosec^®, Zegerid^® and Protonix^®, as well as over-the-counter versions of some medications are involved in the warning.

The FDA warning was prompted after the agency reviewed several studies reporting that individuals using these medications had a higher risk of certain fractures.

Drug companies will also be required to change the drug labels to reflect the side effect.

"Because these products are used by a great number of people, it’s important for the public to be aware of this possible increased risk and, when prescribing proton pump inhibitors, healthcare professionals should consider whether a lower dose or shorter duration of therapy would adequately treat the patient’s condition," said the FDA’s Joyce Korvick, M.D.

Among the ways to combat heartburn naturally include avoiding acidic and other foods known to trigger symptoms, cutting back on portion sizes, eating slowly, avoiding eating within a few hours of going to sleep, adding living enzymes to the diet and wearing loose-fitting clothing.

According to Reuters, researchers studied 39 people with GERD, along with nine healthy adults. After monitoring the participants overnight, scientists found that 90 percent of GERD patients woke up at least once during the night, compared to 78 percent of the healthy comparison group.

In addition, they found that just 16 percent of sleep disruptions in GERD patients were caused by heartburn symptoms.

GERD is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the food pipe. Symptoms include heartburn that occurs more than two times per week.

Among some ways to combat heartburn include avoiding acidic and other foods known to trigger symptoms, cutting back on portion sizes, eating slowly, avoiding eating within a few hours of going to sleep, raising the head of the bed on an angle, adding living enzymes to the diet and wearing loose-fitting clothing.

Antacids and H2 blocker medications are often used to treat GERD. The Mayo Clinic reports that among the natural remedies believed to treat it are herbal remedies including licorice, slippery elm, chamomile and marshmallow, as well as acupuncture and practicing relaxation techniques.

Researchers studied the irritants in coffee by exposing cultures of human stomach cells to a variety of different coffee preparations, including regular, dark-roast, mild, decaffeinated, and stomach-friendly. They then identified several substances that appeared to trigger chemical changes associated with increased acid production. These substances include caffeine, catechols, and other ingredients.

"Our data show, for the first time, that caffeine, catechols and N-alkanoly-5-hydroxytryptamides are those coffee components that stimulate molecular mechanisms of stomach acid secretion in human stomach cells," said lead researcher Dr. Veronika Somoza.

They also unexpectedly found that one of the coffee components, N-methylpyridium (NMP), seems to block the ability of the stomach cells to produce hydrochloric acid and could provide a way to reduce or avoid stomach irritation. Since NMP is generated only upon roasting and not found in raw coffee beans, darker-roasted coffees contain higher amounts of this stomach-friendly coffee ingredient.

Estimates suggest that up to 40 million people in the U.S. either avoid coffee, or cannot drink as much as they like, due to stomach irritation.

In addition to avoiding foods that cause stomach irritation, medical experts say digestive health supplements containing hydrochloric acid may help fight acid reflux, heartburn and other digestive problems.

According to Reuters, researchers in Canada have found that serious bacterial or viral infections of the digestive system may lead to irritable bowel syndrome or functional dyspepsia, which includes the symptoms of heartburn, indigestion and fullness.

The research team followed nearly 1,100 individuals who lived in Walkerton, Ontario during an outbreak of bacterial gastroenteritis when the town’s water supply was contaminated with cow manure.

They found that among those who became sickened during the outbreak, 50 percent had symptoms of dyspepsia eight years afterwards, compared to 30 percent of the people who didn’t get sick during the original outbreak.

The researchers write in the journal Gastroenterology that severe stomach viruses "have the ability to trigger symptoms that affect the upper, as well as the lower gastrointestinal tract, with long-lasting consequences."

Among some ways to combat heartburn include avoiding acidic and other foods known to trigger symptoms, cutting back on portion sizes, eating slowly, avoiding eating within a few hours of going to sleep, adding living enzymes to the diet and wearing loose-fitting clothing.

First of all, it’s important for people to know what causes their heartburn. According to WebMD.com, common food triggers include chocolate, orange juice, coffee, tomato-based sauces, wine and high-fat foods. Eliminating reflux-causing foods and cutting back on portion sizes can help reduce the occurrence of heartburn. Eating slowly can help too.

Sufferers should avoid eating late at night. Eating at least two or three hours before lying down is recommended to give the stomach time to digest and empty some of the acids that can cause pain. Individuals who have heartburn at night are advised to raise the tops of their beds with blocks or to prop themselves up with pillows.

Losing weight can help manage acid reflux as well, as can quitting smoking and wearing loose-fitting clothes, according to WebMD.com.

Kevin Trudeau, author of Natural Cures They Don’t Want You To Know About tells NaturalNews.com that eating raw, organic foods and adding living enzymes to the diet can eliminate heartburn. He also says drinking a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar before meals will stop acid reflux.