
What is a PSA test and how is it used?

Blood sugar–friendly fruits if you have diabetes

Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives

Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help

Could tea tree oil help treat acne or athlete’s foot?

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): What to know if you have diabetes or prediabetes or are at risk for these conditions

What could be causing your blurry vision?

Avocado nutrition: Health benefits and easy recipes

Swimming lessons save lives: What parents should know

Preventing and treating iliotibial (IT) band syndrome: Tips for pain-free movement

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a practicing rheumatologist for over 30 years, Dr. Shmerling engaged in a mix of patient care, teaching, and research. His research interests center on diagnostic studies in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, and rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. He has published research regarding infectious arthritis, medical ethics, and diagnostic test performance in rheumatic disease. Having retired from patient care in 2019, Dr. Shmerling now works as a senior faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing.
Twitter: @RobShmerling
Posts by Robert H. Shmerling, MD

Heart Health
Will eating more chilis help you live longer?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Treating neuropathy: Which medication is best?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Masks save lives: Here's what you need to know

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Migraine headaches: Could nerve stimulation help?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
It’s still true: Not all the news about COVID-19 is bad

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Stopping osteoarthritis: Could recent heart research provide a clue?

Exercise & Fitness
New guidelines for aches, pains, and strains

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: A feel-good message about a diabetes drug

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Does diet really matter when it comes to adult acne?

COVID-19
Which test is best for COVID-19?

Skin and Hair
Wondering about goosebumps? Of course you are

Staying Healthy
Metabolic syndrome is on the rise: What it is and why it matters

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Daily decisions about risk: What to do when there's no right answer

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The plight of nursing home residents in a pandemic

Infectious diseases
Driving across the country in a pandemic
Infectious diseases
Bracing for contact tracing

Staying Healthy
When dieting doesn't work

Men's Health
Some healthcare can safely wait (and some can’t)

Cancer
And now for some good news on health

Arthritis
Harvard Health AdWatch: An arthritis ad in 4 parts

Cancer
More sexual partners, more cancer?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
As the pandemic drags on, when can we get back to work?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often?

Pain
Does CBD help with arthritis pain?

What is a PSA test and how is it used?

Blood sugar–friendly fruits if you have diabetes

Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness — and may even lengthen lives

Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help

Could tea tree oil help treat acne or athlete’s foot?

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): What to know if you have diabetes or prediabetes or are at risk for these conditions

What could be causing your blurry vision?

Avocado nutrition: Health benefits and easy recipes

Swimming lessons save lives: What parents should know

Preventing and treating iliotibial (IT) band syndrome: Tips for pain-free movement