Peripheral edema refers to an abnormal leg water retention that causes swelling of tissues in the calves, ankles, legs as well as feet.
There are many medical reasons which cause ankle and leg water retention. Besides, there are some conditions which may contribute to excessive swelling of ankles as well as feet. This fluid retention occurs due to a direct or an indirect reaction to an underlying disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis refers to a condition in which the body’s autoimmune system fails to function normally. It attacks the joint tissues, and causes inflammation and joint damage. This disease can affect the joint, bones as well as various parts of the body. This is a disease which usually begins in the hands, wrists and feet, which slowly progresses to the shoulders, elbows and hips. Some of the symptoms which are associated with rheumatoid arthritis include developing intermittent leg water retention, besides swelling of the calves, ankles, legs and feet. Swelling in the ankles and calves due to leg water retention may occur when there are other medical problem such as phlebitis, lymphedema, as well as heart failure and kidney disease.
Emphysema refers to a chronic lungs disease which is characterized by the inflammation of the air sacks in the lungs. In emphysema, the lungs can lose their ability to shrink properly upon exhalation. This decreases the amount of air being inhaled. Thus, waste air is not being taken off easily from the lungs and oxygen-rich air is not being restored. Patients having with emphysema may have a difficult time in breathing and may often gasp for air. The symptoms of emphysema may include shortness of breath; skipped breaths; besides insomnia; chronic fatigue; as well as leg water retention, ankles and legs; wheezing; besides excess mucus production. Cancer of the urinary bladder is often associated with exposure to chemical substances, smoking tobacco, infections as well as small pelvis irradiation, leading to pain, and sometimes temporary retention of urine.