Fluid Retention in Legs

Our body is normally seen to maintain a balance of fluid in tissues, ensuring that the same amount of water entering the body, also leaves the body, thereby keeping the fluid balance. Fluid is often seen to seep from the blood in the body tissues. It's the job of the lymphatic system network to drain off the excess fluid from the body tissues and regulate blood fluid levels. Edema or fluid retention is caused when the lymphatic system in our body fails to drain out the fluids from under the skin in the spaces within the tissues. Pooling of excess fluid results in swelling up of tissues and body parts. When swelling occurs throughout the body it is termed as generalized edema, while when a particular part swells, it is termed as localized edema. Fluid retention in the legs, especially in the lower leg region is called peripheral edema. The swelling is also seen to extend to the calves, ankles and feet.

What Causes Fluid Retention in the Legs?

Fluid retention causes the feet, ankles and calves of the legs to swell and become stiff. It may even ache. Let's find out what triggers this fluid retention.

Immobility
Movements like walking, running, etc. involve contraction of leg muscles, which in turn compresses blood vessels and promotes blood flow. Standing or sitting in same position for long periods of time, without any movement, can result in pooling of blood in the veins of the legs. This pooling makes it difficult for fluid to move out of the tissues back into the bloodstream, thereby resulting in fluid retention in the legs.

Pregnancy
Although edema is commonly seen in the last trimester of pregnancy, it can occur at any time during the 9 months. As the uterus grows during pregnancy, it pushes its weight down on the major veins of the legs. This excess pressure results in reduction of blood flow to the heart, thereby pushing water into the tissues of the legs. Moreover, during pregnancy, the female body requires extra fluid for accommodation and nourishment of the baby in the body. For all this extra fluid is produced and this increased fluid volume may conduce to dilation in blood vessels of the legs and fluid retention.

Heat
High humidity levels and heat on hot summer days cause blood vessels in the body to dilate, thereby making it simpler for the body fluids to leak into the surrounding body tissues. This then results in fluid retention in the legs. Sunburns also cause fluid retention.

Heart Failure
If the pumping organ of the body; the heart fails to effectively pump blood into the blood vessels, the body compensates the less blood volume by retaining fluid in the tissues. However, this defensive move by the body is detrimental, because it leads to vein congestion, liver enlargement and pooling of body fluid in abdominal cavity, thereby resulting in fluid retention.

Kidney Disease
When the kidneys are unable to excrete excess amounts of sodium and water from the body, fluids begin to pool in the body tissues, thereby causing water retention and swelling of calves, ankles and feet.

Besides these causes, some other reasons conducing to this condition are venous insufficiency, lung disorders, malignant lymphedema, thyroid disease, arthritis, consumption of high salt diet, intake of contraceptive pills, vitamin B1 deficiency, menopause, side effects of medicines or allergic reactions.

To reduce swelling caused by fluid retention, one can try herbs which have been known for their diuretic action. Herbs like cleavers, dandelion leaf and uva-ursi are used to eliminate excess fluid from the body. However, do not take the herb without consulting your health care provider, especially if you have a health issue. One should make dietary changes by reducing the amount of salt added to food and refraining from consumption of sugar, dairy products and processed foods. Consult your health care provider about treatment of the condition, rather than trying out something of your own.