Rheumatoid Arthritis: Early Signs, Foods to Avoid & How to Lower Inflammation with Dr. Micah Yu

Rheumatoid arthritis is more than joint pain, it's a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect the entire body. Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, stiffness, digestive issues, and unexplained pain may appear alongside or before more obvious joint symptoms. So what should you look for—and can diet and lifestyle actually help reduce inflammation and improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? In this episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal sits down with Dr. Micah Yu, an Integrative Rheumatologist, to break down rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease, inflammation, diet, supplements, medication, and the symptoms patients shouldn't ignore. Dr. Yu brings a unique perspective to rheumatology, understanding autoimmune disease from both sides of the exam room. He explains why rheumatoid arthritis affects far more than the joints, what may happen when RA goes untreated, and how conventional medicine and lifestyle interventions can work together. In this episode, you'll uncover: 🎧 The early signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease 🎧 The difference between rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other forms of arthritis 🎧 Why RA is a whole-body autoimmune disease—not simply a joint condition 🎧 Foods Dr. Yu recommends limiting and the role diet may play in inflammation 🎧 Whether lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms or medication needs 🎧 Supplements vs. medications for rheumatoid arthritis 🎧 What to do when you have persistent symptoms but your lab tests are "normal" 🎧 Why rheumatologists ask questions about symptoms from head to toe 🎧 What can happen when rheumatoid arthritis progresses without adequate treatment 🎧 The lifestyle habits that may support people living with autoimmune disease If you or someone you love is living with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation, unexplained joint pain, or autoimmune symptoms, this conversation will help you better understand what may be happening in the body—and the questions worth asking your healthcare provider. At Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal brings you conversations at the intersection of longevity, women's health, mental health, self-advocacy, and healthcare innovation, helping you understand the hidden systems shaping how you feel, move, and heal. 🎧Tune in and join Dr. Meenal Agarwal as we reimagine what it means to be well in today's complex healthcare system. Because healing starts with understanding—and Uncovering Your Eyes. Learn more about Dr. Micah Yu on Instagram @MyAutoimmuneMD, at MyAutoimmuneMD.com, and his clinic at DrLifestyle.org Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube, and learn more about Dr. Meenal on Instagram @Dr.MeenalAgarwal This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.