Swelling of the lower legs and feet can occur as a result of direct injury to the leg or foot. It can also be caused by a disease of one of the major organs that causes the body to retain water. Swelling caused by water retention is referred to as edema. When swelling occurs in only one leg and foot, it usually means that the swelling was caused by a direct injury. Swelling in both legs and feet usually indicates edema.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a heart disease characterized by weak and enlarged heart muscles that can no longer effectively pump blood throughout the body. The heart has to work extra hard to pump blood. This puts a great deal of strain and stress on the heart. When the heart cannot pump blood correctly, blood backs up in the blood vessels and begins to pool. This causes edema in the body, especially in the lower legs, ankles and feet. Edema may also be apparent in the abdomen. Other symptoms of cardiomyopathy include breathlessness, fatigue, irregular heart beat and dizziness. The weakening of the heart muscle associated with cardiomyopathy usually occurs gradually as a result of chronic circulatory diseases, such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, according to MayoClinic.com.
Cardiomyopathy is usually treated by correcting the underlying cause with a combination of diet changes and medications. In some cases, surgery may be needed.
Acute Kidney Failure
Acute kidney failure is the sudden loss of kidney function. When the kidneys do not function properly, they cannot maintain a fluid balance and excrete urine effectively. This results in retention of fluid by the body and causes generalized swelling that can be easily seen in the lower legs, ankle and feet, according to Medline Plus. In addition to swelling, other symptoms include breath odor, mental changes, decreased appetite, loss of feeling in the body, high blood pressure, metallic taste in the mouth, nosebleeds, decrease in the amount of urine and hand tremor. Acute kidney failure is often caused by sudden injury, but can also develop as a result of infections, blood vessel disorders and autoimmune kidney diseases. Those with acute kidney failure usually stay in the hospital until the problem is treated. Medline Plus notes that treatment consists of limited fluid intake, antibiotics, diuretics and intravenous administration of electrolytes.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the body. The most commonly affected deep veins are those of the thigh and the lower leg. When a blood clot blocks the flow of blood in the leg, it results in swelling of the entire leg, ankle and foot or swelling in the lower leg along the vein. A blood clot in the leg can also cause pain and tenderness, increased warmth in the affected area and discoloration of the affected area, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Deep vein thrombosis can develop as a result of autoimmune responses, infection, prior surgery, inherited clotting abnormalities and inflammation. Most cases of deep vein thrombosis are treated with anticoagulants, which prevent clots from getting bigger and new clots from forming. Clot busters may be used to break up clots, but the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute notes that they are only used in severe cases because they carry a risk of heavy bleeding.
