Diabetes also known as hyperglycemia, is a condition characterized by excessive levels of glucose in the blood. This can lead to serious complications over a long period of time, especially if left unchecked. As we age, the function of the pancreatic islets gradually declines, causing blood sugar levels to rise. It’s important to note that hyperglycemia is not limited to older adults; people with a family history of diabetes and people who are obese are also susceptible to the condition. The legs are far away from the heart and have poor blood circulation. They are particularly susceptible to the effects of high blood sugar, making symptoms more obvious.

Some leg symptoms may be a sign of high blood sugar:
1. Leg wounds are difficult to heal: High blood sugar not only damages the blood vessel wall, causing poor blood circulation in the leg wound, affecting wound repair and regeneration, but also affects the immune system, making the wound more susceptible to infection. Therefore, once a diabetic is injured, the wound will be more difficult to heal than ordinary people. In severe cases, it may also develop into diabetic foot, and minor trauma may also develop into ulcers
2. Numbness in the legs and feet: If blood sugar is out of control, the glucose in the body will constantly stimulate the inner wall of the blood vessels, causing the blood vessels to become stiff and injured and hindering blood circulation, and the lower limbs may become weak and numb
3. Itchy skin: Long-term high blood sugar can cause neuropathy and damage peripheral nerve endings, which may lead to abnormal pain, temperature and touch perception. Some people will experience itching or tingling in their hands and feet, which may be more obvious at night
4. Sugar spots appear: Microvascular lesions caused by long-term high blood sugar can lead to local skin hypoxia and malnutrition, and promote pigmentation. At the same time, inflammatory reactions are more common in diabetic patients. Once the local area is stimulated by inflammation, it is more likely to produce pigment spots.
5. Skin wrinkles: When blood sugar is too high, the skin will be in a hyperosmotic state, and tissue moisture will continue to transfer to the blood, causing skin dehydration and dryness. In severe cases, peeling and wrinkles will occur.

Hyperglycemia can often be controlled with lifestyle interventions and medications. For people with mild diabetes, oral medications such as metformin, insulin secretagogues, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are often used to help lower blood sugar levels. However, for people with severe diabetes, oral medications may no longer be enough to meet their blood sugar-lowering needs and require insulin injections for effective control. It is recommended that people with a family history of diabetes, as well as high-risk groups such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, people over 45 years old, and people with a sedentary lifestyle, regularly monitor their blood sugar.