Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

The classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger), and weight loss.

These symptoms arise due to the body's inability to produce insulin, which is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. When insulin is insufficient or absent, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, causing the kidneys to excrete excess sugar through urine, which leads to polyuria. As the body loses fluids through frequent urination, it triggers intense thirst (polydipsia). The lack of insulin also prevents cells from utilizing glucose for energy, causing increased hunger (polyphagia) as the body seeks alternative energy sources. Additionally, the body begins to break down fat for energy, leading to weight loss.

The other options present symptoms that are either related to different conditions or do not align with the classic presentation of type 1 diabetes. For instance, increased appetite and weight gain are more typical of type 2 diabetes or other metabolic disorders, not type 1. Fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and headache could be related to various health issues, including acute illness or high blood sugar, but they are not classic symptoms. Lastly, nighttime urination,