I happened to be sharing an elevator with a doctor. I knew this because of his white coat and letting above the pocket. I can’t remember what prompted it but I had to bury my mouth into my shoulder and cough for a short time.

When done, I apologized and added, “A little coughing is good for us. It is the only way to exercise our coughing muscles. “

To my surprise, he smiled and said, “That’s right. “

It was just a clumsy effort at an joke and excuse, but I could see he was serious. As I get older I see, more and more, that what I said was true. it is getting more difficult as I get older.

Well, I got something caught in my throat earlier and I started exercising my cough muscles and I just couldn’t stop. After a half hour of that, I realized my coughing muscles had just about all they could handle. They had a complete workout and now they are ready… well for whatever they need to be ready for.

Of course, the exercise was not by the number, nut rather taking deep breaths then forcing it out again about as fast as I could.

The fact is, being able to dislodge something with a cough can be important.