What are the serious causes of swollen legs, and what is the treatment?

What causes ankle or leg swelling?
If you stand for much of the day, you may develop swelling in your ankle or leg. Aging can also lead to increased swelling. A long trip or car trip can cause the corner, leg or foot to swell as well.

Certain medical conditions can cause ankle or leg swelling. These include:

overweight
Venous insufficiency, where problems with the valves in the veins prevent blood from flowing to the heart
Pregnancy
Rheumatoid arthritis
blood clots in the leg
heart failure
Renal failure
leg infection
Cirrhosis
Lymphedema, or swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system
Previous surgery, such as pelvic, hip, knee, ankle or foot surgery
Taking certain medications can lead to these symptoms. These include:

Antidepressants
Calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure, including nifedipine, amlodipine, and verapamil
Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills, estrogen, or testosterone
Steroids
Swelling in the ankle and leg can be due to inflammation from an acute or chronic injury. Conditions that can cause this type of infection include:

Ankle sprain
in the spine
gout
broken leg
Achilles tendon rupture
anterior cruciate ligament rupture
dropsy
Edema is a type of swelling that may occur when more fluid flows into these areas of your body:

legs
hands
ankles
feet
Mild edema can be caused by pregnancy, premenstrual symptoms, consuming too much salt, or being in one position for a long time. This type of leg or ankle swelling can be a side effect of some medications, such as:

High blood pressure medications
Steroids
anti-inflammatory drugs
Estrogen
Edema can be a symptom of a more serious medical problem, such as:

Kidney disease or damage
congestive heart failure
Weak or damaged veins
Lymphatic system not working properly
Mild edema usually goes away without any medical treatment. However, if you have a more serious case of edema, it can be treated with medication.

Why does swelling occur in the ankles and legs during pregnancy?

Normal fluid retention
Pressure on the veins due to the extra weight of the uterus
change of hormones
The swelling tends to go away after delivery. Until then, try these tips to prevent or relieve swelling.

Preventing swelling in pregnancy
Avoid standing for long periods of time.
Sit with your feet raised.
Keep as cool as possible.
Spend some time in the pool.
Maintain a regular exercise routine as approved by your doctor.
Sleep on your left side.
Don't reduce your water intake if you have swelling. You need plenty of fluids during pregnancy, usually at least 10 cups a day.

If the swelling is painful, you should see your doctor to make sure your blood pressure is normal. Your doctor will also need to check if you have a blood clot and rule out other possible conditions, such as preeclampsia.

When should I seek medical help?
Seek emergency medical care if you also have heart-related symptoms. These may include:

pain in chest
breathing difficulties
Dizziness
muddle
You should also seek emergency treatment if you notice an ankle abnormality or weakness that wasn't there before. If the injury prevents you from putting weight on your leg, that's cause for concern as well.

If you are pregnant, seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms associated with preeclampsia or dangerously high blood pressure. These include:

Severe headache
nausea
vomiting
Dizziness
Very little urine output
Seek medical attention if home remedies do not help reduce the swelling or if your discomfort increases.