Editing Edema (section)

=== Others ===
Swollen [[human leg|leg]]s, feet and [[ankle]]s are common in late [[pregnancy]]. The problem is partly caused by the weight of the [[uterus]] on the major [[vein]]s of the [[human pelvis|pelvis]]. It usually clears up after delivery of the baby, and is mostly not a cause for concern,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec18/ch259/ch259e.html |first1=R. Phillips  |last1=Heine |first2=Geeta K. |last2=Swamy |title=Lower-Extremity Edema During Late Pregnancy |work=[[The Merck Manual]] |access-date=9 August 2017}}</ref> though it should always be reported to a doctor.

Lack of exercise is another common cause of water retention in the legs. Exercise helps the leg [[vein]]s work against [[gravity]] to return [[blood]] to the [[human heart|heart]]. If [[blood]] travels too slowly and starts to pool in the [[human leg|leg]] [[vein]]s, the pressure can force too much fluid out of the [[human leg|leg]] [[capillary|capillaries]] into the tissue spaces. The [[capillary|capillaries]] may break, leaving small blood marks under the [[human skin|skin]]. The [[vein]]s themselves can become swollen, painful and distorted – a condition known as [[varicose vein]]s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing |first1=Barbara Kuhn |last1=Timby |first2=Nancy E. |last2=Smith |year=2006 |edition=9th |location=Philadelphia |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |page=[https://archive.org/details/introductorymedi00timb/page/488 488] |isbn=978-0-78178-032-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/introductorymedi00timb/page/488 }}</ref> [[Muscle]] action is needed not only to keep [[blood]] flowing through the [[vein]]s but also to stimulate the [[lymphatic system]] to fulfil its "overflow" function. Long-haul [[flight]]s, lengthy [[bed-rest]], immobility caused by [[disability]] and so on, are all potential causes of water retention. Even very small exercises such as rotating [[ankle]]s and wiggling [[toe]]s can help to reduce it.<ref>{{cite book |title=Lymphedema Management: The Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners |first=Joachim E. |last=Zuther |year=2005 |edition=1st |location=New York |publisher=[[Thieme Medical Publishers]] |page=222 |isbn=978-1-58890-284-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/lymphedemamanage00joac/page/222 }}</ref>

Certain [[medications]] are prone to causing water retention. These include [[estrogen]]s, thereby including drugs for [[hormone replacement therapy (menopause)|hormone replacement therapy]] or the [[combined oral contraceptive pill]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merck.com/mmpe/lexicomp/estrogens%20(conjugated-equine).html |title=Estrogens (Conjugated/Equine) |work=The Merck Manual |access-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202133613/http://www.merck.com/mmpe/lexicomp/estrogens%20(conjugated-equine).html |archive-date=2 December 2007}}</ref> as well as [[non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] and [[beta-blockers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/hypertension-treatment-beta-blockers |title=Beta-Blockers for High Blood Pressure |work=[[WebMD]] |access-date=9 August 2017}}</ref>

[[Premenstrual water retention]], causing [[bloating]] and [[breast tenderness]], is common.<ref name="Copstead-KirkhornBanasik2014">{{cite book|author1=Lee-Ellen C. Copstead-Kirkhorn|author2=Jacquelyn L. Banasik|title=Pathophysiology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i7jwAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA660|date=25 June 2014|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-323-29317-4|pages=660–}}</ref><ref name="pmid19099613">{{cite journal | vauthors = Farage MA, Neill S, MacLean AB | title = Physiological changes associated with the menstrual cycle: a review | journal = Obstet Gynecol Surv | volume = 64 | issue = 1 | pages = 58–72 | year = 2009 | pmid = 19099613 | doi = 10.1097/OGX.0b013e3181932a37 | s2cid = 22293838 }}</ref><ref name="Pooler2009">{{cite book|author=Charlotte Pooler|title=Porth Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2-MFXOEG0lcC&pg=PA1075|date=1 October 2009|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-1-60547-781-7|pages=1075, 1107}}</ref>