mechanical cough

my partner was diagnosed with asthma last week after having a bad chest for a year she was precribed qvar 50 and salbutamol last nite she was having problems breathing so we ended up in local small hosp having neb then saw dr at 9,11 and then 3pm at his request he gave her steroids and antibiotics and wants to see her again at 8.30 tom am but he says it is not to do with her asthma that she is wheezing and coughing it is due to a mechanical cough and sipping water will improve her breathless ness

any thoughts would be appreciated