Integrative Rheumatology: Bridging Medicine, Nutrition & Lifestyle with Dr. Micah Yu (Ep 97)

Episode 97: Integrative Rheumatology: Bridging Medicine, Nutrition & Lifestyle with Dr. Micah Yu

For many people living with autoimmune disease, seeing a rheumatologist can bring up a lot of uncertainty—especially if you want to incorporate nutrition and lifestyle alongside conventional medical care.

In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by Dr. Micah Yu, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in rheumatology, internal medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine. Dr. Yu also lives with autoimmune arthritis himself, giving him a unique perspective as both physician and patient.

Together, they explore what integrative rheumatology actually looks like, why conventional medicine and lifestyle don't have to be an either/or choice, and how patients can build a healthcare team that supports the full picture of autoimmune health. They also discuss how to prepare for a rheumatology appointment, when medications may be necessary, and how nutrition and lifestyle can work alongside medical treatment.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Dr. Yu's experience with gout and spondyloarthritis shaped his approach to medicine
• What rheumatologists actually treat and why they often serve as "detectives" for complex cases
• Common misconceptions about rheumatologists, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine
• Why time constraints within conventional healthcare can make complex autoimmune care challenging
• What integrative and functional rheumatology looks like in practice
• Why medication and lifestyle interventions don't have to be mutually exclusive
• How to prepare for a rheumatology appointment and make the most of limited time
• Why tracking symptoms, medications, supplements, and your health history can help your physician
• How patients and their prescribing providers can approach medication changes when health improves
• Why building a multidisciplinary healthcare team can be valuable for autoimmune disease

Resources:

• Dr. Lifestyle: https://drlifestyle.org
• My Autoimmune MD: https://myautoimmunemd.com
• Social Media: @MyAutoimmuneMD
• Podcast: Autoimmune Alchemy

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Why rheumatology and lifestyle medicine don't have to be either/or

02:15 – Introducing Dr. Micah Yu

03:41 – Dr. Yu's personal journey with autoimmune arthritis

07:40 – Rheumatology 101: What does a rheumatologist do?

10:15 – Common misconceptions about rheumatology

16:15 – What integrative and functional rheumatology looks like

19:40 – How to get the most out of a rheumatology appointment

22:02 – Combining medication with diet and lifestyle

25:27 – Hope for people living with autoimmune disease

27:34 – Dr. Yu's advice for building a healthcare team

28:22 – Wrap-up and where to follow Dr. Yu