Type 2 Diabetes is a day to day affair in our locality. The recent upsurge in diabetic patients has given the disease a complete new status. Patients start thinking of doom, look for instant cures and end up being stressed and worried. People are more concerned with the diagnosis rather than management and control of sugar level in the body.

Like diabetes, cricket is also a common day to day affair. Look at the popularity of T20 /IPL When I say diabetes is like cricket, I end up making it a simple disease with fixed targets and a common goal to achieve. The fixed 20 overs go with our lifespan and type 2 diabetes mostly come after 10 overs are gone.

In T20 mostly, the run rate becomes the primary aspect to win a match and it becomes indispensable especially when the first 10 overs are gone. The required run rate needs to be followed. Like cricket, in diabetes your run rate for fasting sugar should be within the range of 100 to 125 mg % and after meals it should be below 180 mg%. The average glucose of last 3 months should be around 7%. When we score as per the runs required per over, we have a strong possibility of winning the match. The same rule stands for diabetes. We need to keep blood sugars in range to avoid complications which is equivalent of losing the cricket match.

What is meant by losing a match in diabetes? We should play to win the match against diabetes to avoid, delay or prevent the microvascular complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy.

Changes in blood sugar levels can cause the following complications:

  • Uncontrolled sugar levels can cause changes in retina leading to blindness.
  • Urinary protein loss in the form of microalbuminuria can lead to poor renal functions which means dialysis and even renal transplant.
  • Feet can become numb and you can lose your sense of touch. This leads to injuries even while doing daily activities. The skin around the feet has no immunity which gives way to infection, gangrene and in severe cases amputation of foot.

This vicious cycle can be completely avoided by playing the match according to the run rate fixed. However, do keep in mind that as run rate changes as per certain factors, it is the same for diabetes. Your sugar levels would be best decided keeping your age, gender, co-morbid illnesses, etc. all into consideration. No two goals would be the same. Just as your favourite batsman would have different run rate according to the current status of the match, your sugar levels would be different from another individual.

The best way to know your run rate, is to consult your endocrinologist. The need of the hour is playing with zeal and with a clear idea about your goals. Just as India is the cricket capital, let’s all strive to make the country a diabetes-free capital too. Let the cricket spirit win!

Chak de India!