When Heartburn Turns to Acid Reflux

Jan. 31 -- After Maura Donovan spent six years struggling with what she thought was simply on and off heartburn, the college student finally went to a new doctor who made her write down everything she ate.

Donovan was experiencing stomach cramps as soon as she ate foods like pizza or Chinese food, then a burning in her chest the next day, which prompted her to take Tums. After years of this, the pain was more frequent, and no matter what she ate, Donovan felt a pressure on top of her diaphragm, as though someone was sitting on her.

Her stomach problems got so bad that any food she ate would cause her pain. Stress and eating on the run made it worse.

It turned out she had gastroesophageal reflux, also known as acid reflux disease, and a treatable illness that many initially dismiss as simply heartburn. When it starts happening daily, or even once a week, experts advise seeing the doctor.

Heartburn on Rise

That aching feeling of heartburn that many of us experience after overindulging in fatty foods is on the rise. Heartburn, a symptom of acid reflux disease, is believed to affect some 15 million Americans a day, and instead of being just a nuisance, it can lead to real health hazards.

"Heartburn is the lay term for the symptoms that could become reflux, or at its most serious, gastroesophageal reflux disease," ABCNEWS' Dr. Tim Johnson told Good Morning America. The latter occurs when the stomach's contents — food and stomach acid — flow backward into the lower part of the esophagus. Normally a muscle ring or sphincter is supposed to stay closed when you swallow, but it can malfunction.

"But as we get older, it doesn't always function, and it can be affected by certain foods, like peppermint and chocolate," Johnson said. Liquor, coffee, carbonated beverages, citrus fruit or juices, tomato sauce, ketchup and mustard, vinegar, and aspirin or other pain medication containing acetaminophen should also be avoided, experts say.

Other factors that could contribute to reflux include being overweight, eating a big meal, lying down after eating a big meal and wearing tight clothes.