About once a month or so, I will have a coughing fit. Usually it's because I inhale a tiny bit of whatever I am eating. I don't know why I am more prone to this than other people, but I am used to it.

It lasts only half a minute, and then I'm fine, but in the meantime, I can't talk because I'm too busy coughing. If anyone is present other than my immediate family (they're used to it too) they will usually ask, "Are you all right?"

I wish I could tell them: "Just leave me alone; I'll be all right in a minute." But of course I can't say anything.

It seems ridiculous to nod my head "Yes" because obviously I am not "all right." If I were "all right" I wouldn't be coughing, would I?

On the other hand, if I shake my head "No" they're likely to be alarmed and think they should DO SOMETHING.

Often people will offer me a glass of water. Water does absolutely no good, because water, when you swallow it properly, doesn't go where the irritation is, which is in the lungs. If water did go into the lungs, it would only cause more coughing. Yet people persist in offering it. I don't know why.

So to avoid making a fuss, I have to say (or convey with gestures) "Yes, I'm all right," although it's a lie, and accept a glass of water, although it does no good, and take a token sip of it as soon as I can, just to show everyone I'm somewhat functional, and I'm not going to keel over, or whatever it is they're afraid I'm going to do. It's a bloody nuisance.