For fast, reliable relief from constipation, don’t accidentally aspirate your laxatives — as one elderly man found out the hard way.

The 74-year-old presented to hospital following a loss of consciousness and one month of anorexia.

His medical history was significant for a lung lobectomy three years prior as a result of lung carcinoma.

The patient was treated with antibiotics for suspected aspiration pneumonia, as well as laxatives for severe constipation.