Zytaze Dietary Supplementation Enhances Botox Injections?

A patient with spasmodic dysphonia recently asked me whether Zytaze dietary supplement would help enhance the effectiveness of the botox injections I perform to treat spasmodic dysphonia. This dietary supplement contains Zinc Citrate 25mg and Phytase 500mg. Phytase is an enzyme that effectively breaks down phytates commonly found in whole grain products and cereals. Phytase basically enhances zinc absorption in the gut. So what's so special about zinc as it relates to botox ? Theor…

10/18/2019 0

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Animation of Botox Injection to Treat Spasmodic Dysphonia

A new animation has been created in cooperation with Intronix Technologies that demonstrates the steps involved to treat spasmodic dysphonia with EMG guided botulinum toxin. Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurologic condition characterized by vocal breaks during speech due to spasms of the vocal cord muscles. The most common type of spasmodic dysphonia is adductor spasmodic dysphonia where the vocal cords suddenly and involuntarily comes together causing the person’s voice to suddenly break off…

8/08/2019 0

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MyoGuide: Ultra-Portable EMG

A new video has been created describing the use of an ultra-portable EMG device called MyoGuide. I've probably been using this compact unit for almost 10 years and given its usefulness and durability, felt a video on this device warranted, especially for otolaryngologists. Most EMG units are huge and require a small cart to move around, but this unit is the size of a hand. The compact unit contains a high-fidelity amplifier with built-in audio speaker and EMG signal display. Although …

6/04/2019 0

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Dr. Chang Article Printed in National Newsletter

Our Voice, a national newsletter published by the  National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association , published a 4 page article written by Dr. Chang (Volume 25, Number 1, Pages 8-11; Nov 2015) on the topic of reflux and spasmodic dysphonia . The article titled "Living with Spasmodic Dysphonia and Reflux" is the 2nd time Dr. Chang has been featured in this national newsletter. The first time was in 2009 (Volume 18, Number 2, Page 3) pertaining to research that Dr. Chang performed that w…

11/23/2015 0

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Speech Therapy Found to be of NO Benefit for Spasmodic Dysphonia

A recent study was published that has found that speech therapy had minimal if any significant beneficial effect on spasmodic dysphonia  (a spastic vocal disorder) in a study cohort of 31 patients. The study was divided in 3 patient treatment groups: - One-third received no further intervention after botox injection which is considered standard of care in the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia - One-third received a standard 5-week course of voice therapy after botox injection - One-th…

6/09/2011 2

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Dr. Chang to Give Lecture on Spasmodic Dysphonia in Richmond, VA

Dr. Christopher Chang  will be a guest lecturer on the topic of  spasmodic dysphonia  in Richmond, VA on June 11, 2011. Dr. Chang was invited to give a 3 hour long talk to the Central Virginia SD Group at the CJW Medical Center Johnston-Willis Campus in the Board Room starting at 12PM. Dr. Chang is a Yale and Duke trained, board-certified otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon with fellowship training in laryngology. He is considered an expert on spasmodic dysphonia and has patients coming from…

6/09/2011 0

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The King's Speech and Those With Spasmodic Dysphonia

The film "The King's Speech," nominated for Oscars in 12 categories for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards hits home for many who suffer from stuttering. However, I am sure this story also has empathetically affected those patients who suffer from spasmodic dysphonia. What is spasmodic dysphonia ? Think of it as stuttering of the voicebox where the words get stuck in the throat level rather than the mouth level. Both conditions result in patients severely limiting their social…

2/20/2011 1

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Botox for "Sale" Due to Market Influences of Supply and Demand

The NYT wrote a somewhat humorous article on Oct 7, 2010 regarding botox injections for wrinkles from both a supply (physician) and demand (patient) viewpoint. In NYC, one can now find neon colored signs advertising botox specials! Read the NYT article here . Of note, our clinic performs botox injections not for just cosmetic reasons (wrinkles), but also medical reasons including migraine headaches , TMJ , spasmodic dysphonia , torticollis, etc.

10/07/2010 0

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Dr. Chang Mentioned in Newspaper Regarding Spasmodic Dysphonia

The Culpeper Star Exponent released a story on Sept 27, 2010 regarding an individual suffering from ABductor spasmodic dysphonia . This voice disorder is characterized by voice breaks while talking making it very difficult to talk as well as to be understood. This individual has been treated with botox injections by Dr. Chang who was mentioned in the article: "Taylor has one of the rarest forms of the disorder and therefore the hardest to treat. Nonetheless, she seeks treatment eve…

9/27/2010 0

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Age Influences Botox Response in Patients with Spasmodic Dysphonia

Dr. Chang recently published a book chapter discussing how age influences response to botox injections in patients suffering from spasmodic dysphonia . Introduction Spasmodic dysphonia is a dystonia (muscle spasms) involving the muscles of the voicebox resulting in involuntary attacks of a strangled sounding voice. Treatment is botox injection to the involved muscles resulting in a decrease of such spasms thereby resulting in a more smooth-sounding voice. Unfortunately, there are si…

9/14/2010 0

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Book Chapters Authored By Dr. Chang Published On Open Access

Dr. Chris Chang has co-authored two book chapters in a hardcover textbook entitled " Laryngeal Diseases: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments ". The book chapters Dr. Chang has co-authored are NOW available for download via Open Access. Melissa Mainville, a voice therapist at Fauquier Hospital , also co-authored one of the book chapters (Chapter 1). CHAPTER 1: Psychogenic Voice Disorders by Grace W. Johnson, Carmen T. Gonzalez, Christopher Y. Chang , Sarah L. Maines, Melissa M. Mai…

8/26/2010 0

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Two Book Chapters By Dr. Chris Chang Soon To Be Published!

Dr. Chris Chang has co-authored two book chapters in a soon to be published hardcover textbook entitled " Laryngeal Diseases: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments ". The book chapters Dr. Chang has co-authored are entitled: Psychogenic Voice Disorders by Grace W. Johnson, Carmen T. Gonzalez, Christopher Y. Chang, Sarah L. Maines, Melissa M. Mainville, Amy J. Asbury and Age as a Factor in Responses to Botulinum Toxin Injection in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia Patients by Christoph…

8/15/2010 0

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New Video on Botox Injection for Spasmodic Dysphonia

A new video has been created and uploaded to our practice YouTube Channel describing botox injection for spasmodic dysphonia . Two views are shown in the video... the first is what a patient sees as well as another view of what it looks like from inside the throat. Check it out! Dr. Chang performs botox injections for spasmodic dysphonia every Friday afternoon. He also performs botox injections for facial wrinkles, torticollis, migraine headaches , TMJ , etc. Click here to see the …

6/04/2010 2

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LECTURE: Dr. Chang Guest Lecturer on Spasmodic Dysphonia INOVA Fair Oaks

Dr. Chang will be a guest lecturer for the Northern Virginia Spasmodic Dysphonia Support Group. The lecture will be held on October 20, 2010 from 7-9PM at INOVA Fair Oaks Campus, Medical Plaza Building, Conference Room A. The lecture topic is on Spasmodic Dysphonia , a laryngeal dystonia that results in altered vocal quality due to involuntary muscular spasms of the voicebox. The support group leader is Paula Cooper (Email: paulakcooper2004@yahoo.com). Dr. Chang provides botox injection…

5/10/2010 1

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NYT: Can botox stop essential tremor (hand, face, etc)?

On April 22, 2010, the New York Times published a short story entitled " Can Botox Stop the Hands From Shaking? " The story goes on to report that "Intramuscular injections of Botox , or botulinum toxin, may play a limited role in the treatment of wrist and voice tremors in patients with essential tremor." Indeed, I do agree with the "limited" role botox has on essential tremor (emphasis on limited) whether the tremor involves the hand or head/neck region wh…

4/25/2010 1

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Fox News Story on Spasmodic Dysphonia

A Florida Fox News network aired a story on spasmodic dysphonia on April 7, 2010. Click here and it will take you to where you can watch the entire video segment. Spasmodic dysphonia is a neurologic condition where patients suffer involuntary voice spasms resulting in an intermittent strangled quality voice with voice breaks or cut-offs (listen to examples here ). Spasmodic dysphonia is most often treated with Botox injections to the voicebox . Dr. Chang performs such injections every …

4/07/2010 0

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Research by Dr. Chang Mentioned in NSDA Newsletter

Our Voice, a newsletter published by the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association , published a brief story (Volume 18, Number 2, Page 3) on research that Dr. Chris Chang performed that was published in ENT Journal May 2009. The research is entitled " A Survey of Current Practices of Physicians Who Treat Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia in the US ". Co-authors include Drs. Peter Chabot and Christopher Walz. Click the image to enlarge in order to read the article. Read the research …

1/26/2010 1

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Possible Dystonia (Rare Neurological Condition) After Flu Shot

Desiree Jennings, a former Redskins cheerleader, received a seasonal flu shot on Aug 23, 2009 and has suffered from a possible dystonia reaction from the flu vaccination resulting in difficulties in eating, talking, and walking. Here is a link to a video where Dr. Stephen Grill (neurologist) is interviewed by Fox News regarding Desiree's condition. Here is a video/article of the initial story. This story is a case of a VERY unfortunate EXTREMELY rare side effect (if true) of the fl…

10/26/2009 1

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New Paper Published by Dr. Chang on Spasmodic Dysphonia Treatment in the US

In the May 2009 edition of ENT Journal , Dr. Chang has published a paper titled "A Survey of Current Practices of Physicians Who Treat Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia in the US." The paper was published online instead of the print magazine and can be read here for free after registration. The paper reports on a variety of factors considered when treating patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia including surgery (what kind), botox type (A or B or both), how much botox, what concen…

5/20/2009 0

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Lecture: Dr. Chang to Give Lecture on Spasmodic Dysphonia

Dr. Chang will be giving a talk on spasmodic dysphonia on June 13, 2009 to the Central Virginia SD Support Group in Richmond, VA at the CJW Medical Center Johnston-Willis Campus in the Board Room (1PM - 2PM).

5/11/2009 0

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