Recent Blog Articles

Corneal transplants becoming more common

An emerging treatment option for men on active surveillance

Gun violence: A long-lasting toll on children and teens

Adult female acne: Why it happens and the emotional toll

Talking to your doctor about your LGBTQ+ sex life

Untangling grief: Living beyond a great loss

Thunderstorm asthma: Bad weather, allergies, and asthma attacks

Heart problems and the heat: What to know and do

I’m too young to have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, right?

Period equity: What it is and why it matters

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Senior Faculty Editor, 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

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Cryotherapy: Can it stop your pain cold?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Celebrities get shingles, too

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication?

Heart Health
Where do you stand on bystander CPR?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why it’s so hard to lose excess weight and keep it off: The Biggest Losers’ experience

Cancer
Knowing when to screen… and when to quit

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Dr. Google: The top 10 health searches in 2017

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Stem-cell transplant: A possible high-risk/high-reward treatment for scleroderma

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Vaccinations: More than just kid stuff

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
10 things you can do for your pet when it’s cold outside

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The flu is here — and so is a new advisory from the CDC

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is "man flu" really a thing?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Are you getting the most out of your high-deductible health plan?

Heart Health
Can shoveling snow put your heart at risk?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Can an online game really improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Researchers may have discovered a cause of multiple sclerosis

Exercise & Fitness
Activity trackers: Can they really help you get fit?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Genetic testing to predict medication side effects

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Good news about the HPV vaccine

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The mysterious rise in knee osteoarthritis

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The latest scoop on the health benefits of coffee

Staying Healthy
Why does hair turn gray?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What’s up with hiccups?

Exercise & Fitness