coughing inside your coffin

I can't stop coughing.

I'm not talking about coughing in the way that a person coughs when they have a cold, it's more like a cough to dislodge the phlegm in the back of my throat. The trouble is, the phlegm never comes out. Which explains why I can't stop. I have no other symptoms of a cold, so I'm pretty sure I'm not sick.

I'm sure it has to do with smoking, but I haven't started smoking anymore than usual. In fact, I probably smoke less than I used to. I rarely smoke before I return home from work, having my first cigarette of the day usually around 6pm. And I usually don't smoke more than three cigarettes a day unless I go to the bars or drink in the garage, which is also happening less frequently than previously. So maybe it has less to do with smoking than I am inclined to believe. I'm sure my non-smoking friends will suggest that I quit smoking, but I honestly don't want to. Not because of the addiction, but because at the right time and/or place, I really enjoy smoking. Just as someone else really enjoys a cola when they are thirsty. I'll let you all have that nasty vice and you can let me have mine.

I usually only get allergies in the spring and early summer. It is late summer/almost fall, so I doubt that the problem is allergies

I'm not sure what is wrong with me. I just know that I want to get this stuff out of my body.