Complications from asthma?!

Complications from asthma?

today I had an attack where I felt this sinking/squeezing, heavy pressure in my upper stomach/lower abdomen, followed by the rest of my chest, and tingly arm/hands, and even somewhat swollen hand, it was really weird. I felt like breathing was very difficult, it took alot of strength to inhale and even exhale, like my chest was working against me and choking me. I felt really dizzy like I was going to pass out, my chest also had a burning sensation, and I couldn't even remember what day/time it was.

I'm not sure if that classifies as bad or just moderate, because I didn't get ANY coughing or wheezing, i never do. But my symptoms are scary enough.

I knew it was asthma because as soon as i took ONE puff of my albuterol inhaler, i got better.

is this deadly? to let the asthma symtpoms escalate as much as i did? I kept thinking maybe it will just go away on its own. does it ever? Was i anywhere close to the lethal stage or death? how do u tell BAD from moderate/scary?

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways of your lungs. These airways are also known as bronchial tubes. In the case of asthma, chronic means that it never goes away.

Asthma can be very serious. In the United States alone, it leads to about 5,000 deaths, 2 million emergency department visits, and 500,000 hospitalizations each year. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that, if left untreated or improperly treated, asthma may cause a long-term decline in lung function.

Asthma is one disease that has two main components occurring deep within the airways of your lungs:

Airway Constriction: The muscles around the airways in the lungs squeeze together or tighten. This tightening is often called "bronchoconstriction," and it can make it hard for you to breathe the air in or out of your lungs.

Airway Inflammation: The airways of the lungs are always inflamed if you have asthma, and become more swollen and irritated when an attack begins. Your healthcare professional may refer to this swelling as "inflammation." Inflammation can reduce the amount of air that you can take in or breathe out of your lungs. In some cases, the mucus glands in the airways produce excessive, thick mucus, further obstructing the airways.

If asthma is left untreated, airway inflammation may lead to a long-term reduction in lung function and even permanent damage. There's also evidence that if improperly treated, asthma may get worse over time.
That's why it's crucial for you to stay one step ahead of your condition by visiting a healthcare professional who can help you find the best treatment for you.