About the data: We used the family income data from the 2013 American Community Survey. This counts only families, which the government defines as households with two or more people related by birth, marriage or adoption. The graph focuses on families living in the country's 30 most populous cities.
Diseases and conditions that may cause edema include: 1  Congestive heart failure. 2  Cirrhosis. 3  Kidney disease.  Kidney 1  damage. Weakness or damage to veins in your legs.  Inadequate lymphatic 1  system. Symptoms.  Risk factors.
An abnormal buildup of fluid in tissues called edema is what causes swelling in the legs. In some cases, edema that results in painful swollen legs and ankles can be caused by lymphatic dysfunction. In other cases, edema can result from long-standing venous reflux, a venous disease that causes spider veins and varicose veins and can lead to more serious conditions, such as skin discoloration or venous ulcers.