Wong Chun-yu, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology, said the public should be aware of frequent throat clearing, hoarseness, cough and throat discomfort.

"Nearly 600,000 Hongkongers of all ages suffer from backflow of gastric acid and these people may get anxious and depressed due to the sickness, affecting their daily lives," he said.

"If anyone comes across throat discomfort and has confirmed from other doctors that all these symptoms are not originating from respiratory diseases, then he or she should receive the laryngopharyngeal reflux assessment for early diagnosis and treatment."

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A specialist in otorhinolaryngology, Lam Kin-yip, said delay in treatment may induce problems to vocal cords and the larynx.

"Patients may also suffer from chronic cough, difficulties in swallowing and asthma. Gastric acid may splash to other organs like ears and nose, causing inflammation of the middle ear," Lam said.

He suggested patients should change their lifestyle to prevent backflow.

"People can avoid tobacco and alcohol, control food intake and avoid eating three hours before sleep. One should also lower the speech rate, have more pauses in between conversation and drink more water so as to reduce the stimulation to our throat," he said.

Lam said medication such as rabeprazole could significantly suppress gastric acid secretion and backflow.

Jennifer Ng Mo-ling, 30, a patient suffering from gastric backflow, said she experienced voice loss almost every evening since 2003.

"I visited almost six doctors and was diagnosed with general sore throat or stomach illnesses," Ng said, adding she works in the financial sector and has to talk almost eight hours a day and work at a fast pace.

After being diagnosed with backflow of gastric acid into the larynx in 2007, Ng received medical treatment along with speech therapy.