Sassan Soltani, M.D.

PHYSICIAN Q&A
Share your "gut feelings" with Sassan Soltani, M.D.

"I can't believe I ate the whole thing!"
"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Oh, what a relief it is!"
"Tums . . . for the tummy."

For as long as there have been double-chili cheese dogs, Americans have been inundated with ads promising relief for problems that occur somewhere between "in one end" and "out the other." However, sometimes it takes more than antacids to cure you. That's where this doctor comes in.

Name?

Sassan Soltani, M.D.

Specialty?

Gastroenterology, with a special interest bile duct and liver disease

Your specialty has a specialty!? What's what?

Gastroenterology focuses on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder and pancreas, which are all organs that deal with digesting materials and managing waste. The biliary organs,the liver and gallbladder,are the ones that conduct bile.

So you're a plumber?

In a way, yes. Gastroenterologists are the ones to see when systems get backed up or clogged.

Where did you go to school?

I earned my biology degree from Seattle University, attended the St. Louis University School of Medicine, finished my medical residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and then completed a Gastroenterology Fellowship at UCLA.

Which city is better for studying?

Seattle, because of the rain,and maybe the coffee.

What are the most common conditions you treat?

One is acid reflux disease. That's when fluids from the stomach back up into the esophagus, causing pain and even tissue damage. Irritable bowel syndrome is another disorder that brings patients in. IBS can cause cramping, gas, diarrhea, and constipation because the nerves and muscles in the large intestine are abnormally sensitive.

Both have been getting lots of media attention. Are they on the rise?

Not really. The percentage of people who have ARD or IBS has likely stayed the same for decades, but now that we have very effective medicines, more people are seeking treatment.

Another issue we've been hearing about is colon cancer. What's the latest?

Colon cancer screenings save lives,that has not changed. The news is that people have figured out the screening is not painful. There's some preparation involved and you should rest afterward, but the procedure itself takes just 20 minutes. Patients always tell me it was much, much easier than they thought it would be.

How do you stay current in your field?

I attend medical conferences, including "Digestive Disease Week."

Is that like spring break for gastroenterologists?

Even better,it's the largest international conference dealing with gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

Sounds serious. So, no conga lines? No secret handshakes?

Well, a few years ago, ten of us presented our research paper entitled "Keratinocyte growth factor ameliorates mucosal injury in an experimental model of colitis in rats." That was fun!