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
![The truth about tequila and your bones featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8879/conversions/tequila-shot-alcoholic-drink-igorr1-iStock_000022606423_Medium-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The truth about tequila and your bones
![Taking your medications as prescribed: Smartphones can help featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8858/conversions/senior-cellphone-caregiveriStock_000044720314_Medium-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Taking your medications as prescribed: Smartphones can help
![How useful is the body mass index (BMI)? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10948/conversions/BMI-blog-post-03-30-16(1)-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
How useful is the body mass index (BMI)?
![My fall last fall: Reaction time and getting older featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8823/conversions/My-fall-last-fall-blog-03-14-16-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
My fall last fall: Reaction time and getting older
![Vitamin D and physical function: Is more better? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8810/conversions/Vitamin-d-physical-function-blog-02-26-16-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Vitamin D and physical function: Is more better?
![Why men often die earlier than women featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8805/conversions/Men-die-younger-blog-image-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why men often die earlier than women
![Kidney stones are on the rise featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8798/conversions/kidney-stone-image-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Kidney stones are on the rise
![Don't judge your mucus by its color featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8794/conversions/nasal-discharge-photo-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Don't judge your mucus by its color
![What happens when you faint? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8772/conversions/fainting-blog-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What happens when you faint?
![The gender gap in sports injuries featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8741/conversions/female-soccer-player-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The gender gap in sports injuries
![Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8733/conversions/arthritis-and-weather-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain?
![The placebo effect: Amazing and real featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8714/conversions/pills-placebo-effect-medsiStock_000073701411_Medium-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The placebo effect: Amazing and real
![Is it hard to decide about total knee replacement? Totally! featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8704/conversions/knee-replacement-scar-joint-painiStock_000050830058_Medium-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is it hard to decide about total knee replacement? Totally!
![First, do no harm featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8695/conversions/do-no-harm-oath-doctoriStock_000049120102_Medium-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
First, do no harm
![Are There Benefits to a](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7701/conversions/7de01cc4-5673-4e4d-b073-49f01ba3181f16207267247523-thumb.jpg)
Skin and Hair
Are There Benefits to a "Base" Tan?
![Ditch the gluten, improve your health? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11881/conversions/2159b964-9a61-44b4-bd3c-7b8171455bfd-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Ditch the gluten, improve your health?
![Neck pain: Symptoms, causes, & how to relieve it featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/12466/conversions/e88bed87-65fe-4686-b5ee-951e86ce14c8-thumb.jpg)
Pain
Neck pain: Symptoms, causes, & how to relieve it
![Studies reinforce life-saving benefits of colon cancer screening featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8428/conversions/Colon-cancer-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
Studies reinforce life-saving benefits of colon cancer screening
![Tattoos, moles, and melanoma featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8409/conversions/Tattoo-on-shoulder-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
Tattoos, moles, and melanoma
![Brain disease deaths high in pro football players featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8237/conversions/Football-tackle-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Brain disease deaths high in pro football players
![Cataract removal linked to fewer hip fractures featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8222/conversions/Cataract-surgery1-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Cataract removal linked to fewer hip fractures
![Driving on Tax Day? Beware the dead-line featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/8163/conversions/Tax-time-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Driving on Tax Day? Beware the dead-line
Men's Health
New study won’t end debate on PSA test for prostate cancer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Older women may need fewer bone tests
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