PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS CONTRIBUTING TO RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS UNDER CONDITIONS OF ECOLOGICAL DEGRADATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37547/Keywords:
Environmental pollution, respiratory insufficiency, pediatric lung development, adult pulmonary health, particulate matter exposure, toxic gas inhalation, oxidative stress, airway inflammation, immune dysregulation, chronic respiratory conditions.Abstract
Environmental degradation has become one of the leading global determinants of respiratory morbidity in both children and adults. Rapid urbanization, increased industrial emissions, high concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), toxic gases (NO₂, SO₂, O₃), and climate-related ecological shifts have significantly transformed the functional and structural integrity of the human respiratory system. This article explores the key pathophysiological mechanisms through which ecological deterioration contributes to the development and progression of respiratory insufficiency across different age groups. Special emphasis is placed on the heightened vulnerability of children due to their anatomically immature lungs, accelerated metabolic rate, and developing immune responses, as well as on the complex interplay between chronic exposure and comorbidities in adults. The paper synthesizes scientific findings from contemporary medical literature, epidemiological studies, and environmental health research. It analyzes inflammatory pathways, oxidative stress responses, epithelial barrier disruption, airway remodeling, and immunological dysregulation triggered by airborne pollutants.
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