Copastin is a medication used to treat cough. The active ingredient of copastin is cloperastine hydrochloride. This medication is allowed to consume with or without food. Pregnant ladies, cystic fibrosis patients, and breastfeeding mothers should use this medicine with precaution. The possible side effects of copastin are nausea, dry mouth, anorexia, and drowsiness.
Cough is a normal reflex in humans. However, prolonged cough is usually a symptom of certain diseases. Coughing once in blue moon is normal as this action helps to clear the airway and prevent any foreign bodies from invading the airway. The cough reflex is an airway protective mechanism. Cough is divided into two main types. There is dry cough and a wet cough. Some diseases lead to dry cough and some may cause a wet cough. A dry cough is when there is no phlegm produced and expelled upon coughing. Phlegm is ejected upon coughing if you are having a wet cough.
The common causes of cough are:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19
- Common cold
- Cigarette smoking
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive airway disease
- Postnasal drip
- Sinus infection
- Acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Because of the side effects of indefinite medications like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)
According to a report 20 million individuals suffered from COVID-19. There are cases in all continents except Antarctica. Initially, the study of the transmission of this disease in Wuhan associated it with the seafood market which sold live animals. Most patients at that time either visited the market or worked there.
Last year, in late 2019, a novel coronavirus disease was detected in China causing pneumonia. The spread of this disease was fast and that COVID-19 has become a pandemic now. Later, this disease spread to all over the world. The virus that causes this disease is now known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Previously, the virus is known as 2019-nCov. The genetic sequencing of this virus is closest to two bat coronaviruses. So far, it is most likely that the bat is the prime source of this virus. The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle or body ache
- Loss of smell sensation
The common cold is mainly caused by virus infection. Virus invasion into your airway will cause you to suffer from the common cold. The symptoms of the common cold are:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Chest discomfort
- Chest congestion
In adults the common cold is usually a self-limiting situation. However, the common cold in children can be a serious illness. For adults, consuming cold and cough medicines like copastin will help to reduce your symptoms. However, it won’t speed up your recovery. Our immune systems will do their job to clear the infection. Smoking contains tobacco and various other chemicals which cause cough as a reflex to eliminate those substances if one is new to smoking. However, if a person is a chronic smoker, coughing symbolizes that his lungs or airway are damaged. Quit smoking is the best thing to do. If you are not a smoker, do not start as it is not cool and is dangerous to health. There are various ways to quit smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy is available to help smokers in quitting.
Asthma is a chronic airway disease indicated by high mucus production, airway inflammation, and airway narrowing. Asthma runs in the family and a cure is not yet available. Medications are meant for control of the disease. One of the keys to preventing asthma attacks is to avoid triggering factors or allergen. Asthma is somehow an excessive allergy reaction that takes place in the airway.