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.
Muscle activity in the legs helps propel blood and lymphatic fluid upward and out of the legs. Prolonged standing or sitting may cause a buildup of fluid within the lower legs due to gravity and diminished propulsive action of the leg muscles. Extended sitting during air, train or automobile travel may cause significant bilateral ankle edema.