There are certain medical reasons which might cause water retention in legs and ankles whereas some other conditions may contribute to excessive swelling in the ankles and feet also. This water retention in legs occurs as a direct or indirect reaction to some underlying disease or condition.
The medical reasons which cause water retention in legs include rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis refers to a condition in which the body’s autoimmune system is not functioning normally and attacking the joint tissues, leading to inflammation besides joint damage. The symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis include developing of intermittent water retention in legs. This would include swelling of the calves, ankles, as well as legs and feet.
Emphysema refers to a chronic lungs disease characterized by the inflammation of the air sacks in the lungs. The symptoms of emphysema tend to develop gradually, even over many years, and may include shortness of breath, insomnia besides chronic fatigue as well as water retention in legs and excess mucus production.
Cancer of the urinary bladder is usually due to occupational exposure to chemical substances, smoking, and infections besides small pelvis irradiation. Symptoms of cancer of the urinary bladder would include blood in the urine, pain, as well as temporary retention of urine besides water retention in legs.
Chronic liver disease is another disorder which leads to swelling in the ankles. The water retention in legs is due to insufficient amount of protein albumin present in the body, which is required in order to hold fluid in the bloodstream.
Deep vein thrombosis refers to a blood clot which develops in the deep veins of the legs or even the pelvic area. The most usual symptoms include water retention in legs, pain or tenderness, besides discoloration of the leg, which may be either bluish or very pale.