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
![Is](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10928/conversions/iStock-618523968-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is "man flu" really a thing?
![Ask Dr. Rob about vitamin B12 deficiency featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7856/conversions/vitamin-b12-deficiency-treatment-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Ask Dr. Rob about vitamin B12 deficiency
![Ask Dr. Rob about piriformis syndrome featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7905/conversions/98ba3ca6-d133-4b71-b232-d70b50c3a2c2-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Ask Dr. Rob about piriformis syndrome
![Ask Dr. Rob about OCD featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7858/conversions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Ask Dr. Rob about OCD
![Ask Dr. Rob about eating disorders featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7860/conversions/eating-disorders-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Ask Dr. Rob about eating disorders
![Coconut oil: heart-healthy or just hype? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7843/conversions/13091638-f3fe-4c5a-b5fe-f91b5806ac57-thumb.jpg)
page
Coconut oil: heart-healthy or just hype?
![Why does hair turn gray? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9259/conversions/iStock-538855481-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Why does hair turn gray?
![What’s up with hiccups? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9250/conversions/iStock-466567710-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What’s up with hiccups?
![Right brain/left brain, right? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9243/conversions/iStock-532465705-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Right brain/left brain, right?
![How’s your heart rate and why it matters? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7907/conversions/e2d0eb03-2bc8-49b3-971e-dab9f123f748-thumb.jpg)
Heart Health
How’s your heart rate and why it matters?
![Here’s something completely different for low back pain featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9200/conversions/Opiates-for-back-pain-blog-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Here’s something completely different for low back pain
![Here's something completely different for low back pain featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11120/conversions/05647040-9444-4cf0-903b-f9961c9e4b3a-thumb.jpg)
Pain
Here's something completely different for low back pain
![Why coffee might ease your pain (especially if you’re a sleepy mouse) featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9175/conversions/iStock-487388127-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why coffee might ease your pain (especially if you’re a sleepy mouse)
![3 reasons to leave earwax alone featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9158/conversions/iStock-604030396-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
3 reasons to leave earwax alone
![Diet not working? Maybe its not your type featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10938/conversions/78f682d3-9a35-4762-81a8-befe3b2f8d05-thumb.jpg)
Nutrition
Diet not working? Maybe its not your type
![The problem with tanning (and the myth of the base tan) featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9129/conversions/iStock-612499036-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
The problem with tanning (and the myth of the base tan)
![Can you virtually improve your knee pain? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9110/conversions/iStock-592655170-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Can you virtually improve your knee pain?
![Some medications don’t help back pain as much as we thought featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9099/conversions/iStock-502486652-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Some medications don’t help back pain as much as we thought
![The data are in: Eat right, reduce your risk of diabetes featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9056/conversions/iStock-486675912-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The data are in: Eat right, reduce your risk of diabetes
![Do glucosamine and chondroitin supplements actually work for arthritis? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8996/conversions/glucosamine-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Do glucosamine and chondroitin supplements actually work for arthritis?
![Staying active at “that time of the month” featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8989/conversions/exercise-and-periods-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Staying active at “that time of the month”
![What exactly is cupping? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8986/conversions/cupping-blog-post-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What exactly is cupping?
![The truth behind standing desks featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8981/conversions/women-standing-at-desk-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The truth behind standing desks
![What Michelangelo’s hands (can and can’t) tell us about arthritis featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8917/conversions/Michelangelo-blog-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What Michelangelo’s hands (can and can’t) tell us about arthritis
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