BOSTON -- The numbers are staggering -- nighttime heartburn keeps about 50 million Americans awake at night.

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Dangers Of Nighttime Heartburn Procedure Ends Heartburn Pain HEARTBURN PAIN A Gallup survey found that 40 percent of Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a month. What is it? A painful burning sensation in the throat just below the breastbone. The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck or throat. What causes it? The backup of acid from the stomach into the esophagus causes irritation.

And it can cause a lot more than sleepless nights. The American Gastroenterological Association is warning about more serious complications when nighttime heartburn goes untreated.

A year and a half ago, waking up got pretty difficult for Linda Diggers because of what happened after she'd fallen asleep.

"The heartburn was just so bad that I thought I was having a heart attack. I would be asleep and it would wake me up out of my sleep, or I wouldn't be able to get to sleep at all," Diggers said.

Diggers was referred to Dr. Michael Wolfe, who studies the complications of nighttime heartburn. Wolfe said that it's a symptom of reflux -- or a backflow of food. It is less concerning during the day because you're awake to treat the problem.

"But at nighttime, you may actually sleep through an episode and you don't clear the refluxed material. It's acidic, the damage doesn't occur in most people, but it can occur in a number of people because reflux is just so common," Wolfe said.

If a burning sensation, nausea, sore throat, difficulty swallowing or regurgitation frequently awakens you, see a doctor. Wolfe said that you can treat occasional nighttime heartburn with over-the-counter products, but severe problems need serious attention. Some can cause esophageal cancer.

For relief, doctors suggest that you stop eating three hours before bed, elevate the head of your bed and avoid certain foods.

"(Avoid) coffee of any type, decaf, caffeinated -- makes no difference. It can cause reflux. (So can) peppermint, chocolate, and even milk," Wolfe said.

Diggers traded chocolate and ice cream for fruit smoothies and now takes medication twice a day.

"Oh, I feel much better. I still can't eat my favorite spicy foods. I have to watch my diet, but I'm no longer in pain, so that's a good thing," Diggers said.

Additional Resources:

• Heartburn FAQs
• Videoscopic Heartburn Center
• Heartburn Help.com
• National Heartburn Alliance
• GERD Disease Information