Millions of people take powerful acid reflux medications to block stomach acid.

Now, people over 50 face a serious side effect with these medications -- an increased risk of hip fractures.

The good news is there is a way to keep taking the drugs without risking your bones.

Heartburn drugs such as Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid and Protonix are wonder drugs for people who suffer from acid reflux, a condition where acid from the stomach goes into the esophagus.

"I felt nauseous, and my stomach didn't feel well," said acid reflux patient Susan Van Veen.

Van Veen was finally cured of her misery several months ago when she started taking a heartburn drug to block the production of acid in her stomach.

“The acid reflux symptoms went away; my upset stomach stopped," said Van Veen.

However, Van Veen has a new worry. A new study shows people over 50 who take heartburn drugs for longer than a year have a significant increased risk of hip fractures.

"(The study) showed that there was greater than 2.6 times higher risk of hip fracture in those patients that had been on medication," said Scripps gastroenterologist Dr. Edward Paredez.

Paredez said these medications block the production of an acid in the stomach that helps us digest food.

"If you eliminate your stomach acid, you can decrease the amount of calcium you are absorbing in your digestive tract," said Paredez.

If you are worried about the risk of bone fractures, the good news is you don’t have to stop taking your heartburn medication, doctors said. They suggested adding a calcium supplement with at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D.

Paredez suggested taking calcium carbonate, the type of calcium that can’t be absorbed while taking heartburn medications.

Van Veen is boosting her calcium intake with supplements because she doesn’t want her acid reflux to ever return.

"I would take the medicine anyway," said Van Veen.

Men in the study had a higher drug-associated risk of hip fracture than women, possibly because women might be more aware of osteoporosis and might get more calcium in their diets.