Recent Blog Articles
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15477/conversions/59f61b05-2e23-463a-a0f7-b8aef6addd73-micro.jpg)
Testosterone-blocking drugs boost heart disease risk when given in combination
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15472/conversions/9f706d6e-3ba5-441f-a1ce-d93af96cdb5d-micro.jpg)
Parenting isn't easy: Two important skills can help
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14937/conversions/fcff561e-5fc9-4fbd-aac0-b9ea3778052b-micro.jpg)
Does sleeping with an eye mask improve learning and alertness?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15415/conversions/2acee670-1e43-413e-a07b-437512d22803-micro.jpg)
Do tattoos cause lymphoma?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14051/conversions/dea50ed5-99ea-4779-aa5b-56fae11aaa92-micro.jpg)
Hot weather hikes: Staying safe when temperatures spike
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15405/conversions/f22b5f3d-fd64-479d-b10a-b2409347f160-micro.jpg)
Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15404/conversions/ccd2e44a-96c4-492f-a05c-c2706549efc0-micro.jpg)
What is Lewy body dementia?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15083/conversions/2fa8315b-f48e-43fb-8b56-d681a1715343-micro.jpg)
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15386/conversions/33679f9f-8065-4e13-a188-2ca67472b36f-micro.jpg)
Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14810/conversions/778f3d8c-0b73-420c-8d03-e8542d49660d-micro.jpg)
Shining light on night blindness
![photo of Robert H. Shmerling, MD](https://d2icykjy7h7x7e.cloudfront.net/authors/OdKCKaVzyx3xPsUxIBc9zJz8m3zvysnJa3UJsGOd.jpg)
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
![Do tattoos cause lymphoma? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15415/conversions/2acee670-1e43-413e-a07b-437512d22803-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
Do tattoos cause lymphoma?
![Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15386/conversions/33679f9f-8065-4e13-a188-2ca67472b36f-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should
![Health care should improve your health, right? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15309/conversions/a32d083c-d4b8-4a24-8a4f-f05d4d394dd1-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Health care should improve your health, right?
![The cicadas are here: How's your appetite? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15303/conversions/4304af30-c59b-4dc8-ac93-f4ac1c590752-thumb.jpg)
Nutrition
The cicadas are here: How's your appetite?
![Is there a good side to drug side effects? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15278/conversions/995e707c-a427-4a53-b9d7-9985fb18e65a-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Is there a good side to drug side effects?
![A bird flu primer: What to know and do featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15199/conversions/c090faaa-c39e-4f35-ba1a-0c01a736304a-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
A bird flu primer: What to know and do
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15121/conversions/cfb2d698-d9e7-41d5-8a5b-ee78b3cc6f5a-thumb.jpg)
Women's Health
Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline
![Your amazing parathyroid glands featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15092/conversions/b216a264-fd62-49be-9b62-ad2b78987bb6-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Your amazing parathyroid glands
![Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15079/conversions/60ffcbf0-9a09-48a1-a23a-771ff8edbf39-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor?
![How well do you worry about your health? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15061/conversions/a0a77c06-fcbe-4422-8f4f-2747233211b0-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
How well do you worry about your health?
![Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14938/conversions/2000a249-a535-402b-bd6b-32311bd847c7-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Does drinking water before meals really help you lose weight?
![Why do your prescription drugs cost so much? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14740/conversions/704b865b-1c89-4fb6-a4e6-a6c87b70cdd3-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Why do your prescription drugs cost so much?
![Seeking fitspiration on social media? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14686/conversions/7eeefd77-83ab-491b-98bc-d32fed9e4830-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Seeking fitspiration on social media?
![Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14576/conversions/0c6b1e2c-a3c1-40ed-afed-7e88b19e5fd0-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Veins are a key player in the body: Here's why
![What to do when driving skills decline featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14502/conversions/bcb42e0d-03e3-4752-8f23-2286f283fb97-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
What to do when driving skills decline
![A tough question: When should an older driver stop driving? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14503/conversions/f6fd51a8-b6bf-4a40-9b61-0067cf611802-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
A tough question: When should an older driver stop driving?
![Kidneys, eyes, ears, and more: Why do we have a spare? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14408/conversions/d3100b0d-d33e-4db5-9ad8-47cd57c9593a-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Kidneys, eyes, ears, and more: Why do we have a spare?
![Wondering what your lymph nodes have done for you lately? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14385/conversions/d924f092-7936-4bc3-a216-f669bab144c2-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Wondering what your lymph nodes have done for you lately?
![Got immunity? Thank your thymus featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14364/conversions/04f6ab55-6492-448a-bb25-6f93dff9298c-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Got immunity? Thank your thymus
![7 organs or glands you may do just fine without featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14293/conversions/1cc0aa3d-bfb4-4b3a-90e1-e05f1885967c-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
7 organs or glands you may do just fine without
![Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14272/conversions/fe5ae61c-448d-4c69-8ffe-bd77e8d36634-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: Why are toilets everywhere in this drug ad? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14173/conversions/40eefc3f-9d75-426b-9773-043c43b76dd0-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Why are toilets everywhere in this drug ad?
![Leprosy in Florida: How worried should we be? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14203/conversions/61964472-a847-40a1-a773-550faf92c299-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Leprosy in Florida: How worried should we be?
![Think fast: How does your face protect you? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14144/conversions/249ab74a-66e9-44af-b0e8-3ecaf998b5dc-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Think fast: How does your face protect you?
Recent Blog Articles
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15477/conversions/59f61b05-2e23-463a-a0f7-b8aef6addd73-micro.jpg)
Testosterone-blocking drugs boost heart disease risk when given in combination
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15472/conversions/9f706d6e-3ba5-441f-a1ce-d93af96cdb5d-micro.jpg)
Parenting isn't easy: Two important skills can help
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14937/conversions/fcff561e-5fc9-4fbd-aac0-b9ea3778052b-micro.jpg)
Does sleeping with an eye mask improve learning and alertness?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15415/conversions/2acee670-1e43-413e-a07b-437512d22803-micro.jpg)
Do tattoos cause lymphoma?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14051/conversions/dea50ed5-99ea-4779-aa5b-56fae11aaa92-micro.jpg)
Hot weather hikes: Staying safe when temperatures spike
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15405/conversions/f22b5f3d-fd64-479d-b10a-b2409347f160-micro.jpg)
Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15404/conversions/ccd2e44a-96c4-492f-a05c-c2706549efc0-micro.jpg)
What is Lewy body dementia?
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15083/conversions/2fa8315b-f48e-43fb-8b56-d681a1715343-micro.jpg)
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/15386/conversions/33679f9f-8065-4e13-a188-2ca67472b36f-micro.jpg)
Ever read your medical record? Here's why you should
![blog image 1](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14810/conversions/778f3d8c-0b73-420c-8d03-e8542d49660d-micro.jpg)
Shining light on night blindness