Acid reflux is such a common problem you'd think it would be simple to spot and treat. But sometimes acid-reflux symptoms are less than obvious or easy to mistake for something else. Here are some. To prevent acid reflux at night: Sleep with your head elevated. Try a mattress lifter, a wedge-shaped pillow, or add a pillow to help keep your stomach contents from moving upward. Unlike conventional drinking water, pH 8.8 alkaline water instantly denatures pepsin, rendering it permanently inactive. In addition, it has good acid-buffering capacity. Thus, the consumption of alkaline water may have therapeutic benefits for patients with reflux disease. Usually, acid reflux symptoms cause no complications. In a few cases, continued esophageal damage can lead to scarring, which may cause the esophagus to narrow. The narrowing creates strictures. Acid reflux is caused by stomach acid creeping up into the esophagus. Symptoms of acid reflux usually include chest pains, heartburn, a bad taste in the mouth, bloating, gas and difficulty digesting and swallowing properly. Gastroesophageal reflux is fairly common in dogs, and may occur at any age, although younger dogs are at greater risk. The gastric stomach acid, pepsin, bile salts, and other components of the gastrointestinal juices cause damage to the protective mucus lining the esophagus. This can result in inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).