Ear, nose and throat surgeon Dharambir Sethi tells Joan Chew why some people getnasal blockages during sex

I sub-specialise in diseases of the nose and sinus because...
In 1991, I attended an international meeting in Hong Kong where I heard a presentation by the pioneers in this field. It was right there and then that I decided to specialise in the area.

The nose and sinuses are fascinating because...
The nose is a thermostat as well as a filter.Regardless of the temperature of the air, the nose will ensure it is at body temperature by the time the air reaches the back of the nose.

The mucoid gel-like layer that lines the nasal cavity traps all pollutants and is then cleared via the throat.

Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the facial skeleton which extend from the forehead to almost the centre of the skull. To this day, no one is entirely sure of their exact function. But we use them for minimally invasive skull base surgery.

One little known fact about the nose is...

An area in the nose, called the inferior turbinate,has the same erectile tissue as the sexual organs.It is why some people get nasal blockages during intercourse. Recent research showed that the erectile tissue in the genitals and the nose are linked to the nervous system.

If I were to give an analogy for what I do, I would...

Be a mechanic or a software engineer.

Just as fuel needs to go through the pistons to get to the engine and keep the car running, oxygen needs to go through the nose and throat to get into the lungs to ensure that our bodies keep working.

A software engineer is concerned with the durability of his program so that there is little need for future upgrades. My work aims to ensure the same long-term capability.

Surgeons must be extremely precise and meticulous in all they do, to avoid making the smallest error that could corrupt the entire program.

A typical day for me would...

Have me wake up at 6am. I run a clinic every weekday except when operations are scheduled.Appointments start at 9am and last until 5 or5.30pm.

I hit the gym at least three times a week and run outdoors at least once a week – a routine I have kept to for my entire career except when I am travelling.

I usually spend weekends preparing for workshops and conferences which take place at least once a month. I also work towards meeting deadlines for book chapters and other publications.

I have come across all types of cases...

And treated almost every type found in a standard nose and sinus textbook.

Most patients come with nose allergies or sinus-related issues.

Tumours of the nose and sinuses may manifest as a runny nose or nasal blockage. These symptoms are often ignored by patients. By the time they see the doctor, the tumours, especially malignant ones, may have spread to the eyes and,maybe, the brain.