Swollen legs as well as ankles are caused by water retention legs. In case your circulation is having problems in working against the effects of gravity, your blood tends to collect in the lower part of your body. This kind of extra pressure on your blood vessels tends to make them leak fluid into the tissues of your legs as well as ankles leading to swelling. Besides, your skin can become much discolored; and in severe cases, your skin may even seep fluid. Large veins on the surface of your legs can become swollen and painful, which is known as varicose veins.
The technical name used for this condition is “chronic venous insufficiency” (CVI) but the fact is that not all swollen legs are caused due to CVI. You need to get your legs checked by a doctor to know if you have a heart or kidney problem, which too can cause water retention legs and ankles. Swollen legs are quite common in pregnancy. These are caused by the pressure of the baby on the veins which are present in the pelvis.
Another condition causing swollen legs besides swelling in other parts of the body is known as idiopathic cyclic edema (ICE). ICE tends to occur mostly in young women after they have been sitting or standing for a long time.
The best treatment for water retention legs due to a heart or kidney problem is diuretic medicines, which are normally prescribed by a doctor. In case your heart and kidneys are healthy, then you need to be very wary of taking diuretics. In case of both CVI and ICE, the fluid which leaks from blood vessels into the tissues tends to carry protein with it. This protein will sit in the tissues, and draws water out of your blood. In case you take diuretics, you will urinate more and leave your blood dehydrated.