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
![Stomachs growl, noses run, and yawning is contagious: Ever wonder why? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/14067/conversions/cfa79a30-6e76-4254-89b6-0f022e21162c-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Stomachs growl, noses run, and yawning is contagious: Ever wonder why?
![Health warnings on exercise equipment: Should you worry? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13964/conversions/3d0e154f-3bb0-466c-8c5d-3af81f0b42e2-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Health warnings on exercise equipment: Should you worry?
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: An IV treatment for thyroid eye disease featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13961/conversions/46767c7b-4f8e-440b-96bb-a0327a20adf2-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Harvard Health Ad Watch: An IV treatment for thyroid eye disease
![Give praise to the elbow: A bending, twisting marvel featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13946/conversions/a74ed499-e004-4c4b-a2d4-c12338ee7c0b-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Give praise to the elbow: A bending, twisting marvel
![The FDA relaxes restrictions on blood donation featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13901/conversions/b0dc8f35-3126-4eae-b575-38285553c9a4-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
The FDA relaxes restrictions on blood donation
![Does running cause arthritis? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13852/conversions/2434e7c0-3082-4e6a-9556-3e36e6f38b4c-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Does running cause arthritis?
![Is snuff really safer than smoking? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13764/conversions/fab90b23-ec20-40b8-b6ba-de903fcc2d4e-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Is snuff really safer than smoking?
![Drug recalls are common featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13742/conversions/50e63a7c-263c-4ad0-8a8d-e62a90adc81c-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Drug recalls are common
![Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13618/conversions/c620f9c4-8401-44dc-97c2-0f844c1e95f5-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Can electrical brain stimulation boost attention, memory, and more?
![What happens when a drug goes viral? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13607/conversions/71b82aeb-939e-417b-a2ec-9195126baf9e-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
What happens when a drug goes viral?
![Does inflammation contribute to infertility? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13544/conversions/47a9ec38-8258-4813-91ac-86bbefd03789-thumb.jpg)
Women's Health
Does inflammation contribute to infertility?
![Rating the drugs in drug ads featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13510/conversions/1f532be3-82fc-4d23-89b8-f6b9940c9661-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Rating the drugs in drug ads
![Screening tests may save lives — so when is it time to stop? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13470/conversions/9eb9a877-4b9b-466f-8efd-909e3e6b9f3f-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Screening tests may save lives — so when is it time to stop?
![Motorcycle rallies and organ donation: A curious connection featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13404/conversions/3d187503-d2df-414c-a7c7-25e71056ef73-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Motorcycle rallies and organ donation: A curious connection
![Aspirin and bone health: Is there a connection? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13330/conversions/17874a4c-92e1-463c-9f5f-6183b696fd84-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Aspirin and bone health: Is there a connection?
![Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13301/conversions/c6160cd2-870c-4b4a-80e2-27c15a38178d-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Genes protective during the Black Death may now be increasing autoimmune disorders
![When replenishing fluids, does milk beat water? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13230/conversions/e95cb2db-88f0-4948-a7c6-aa5d62b3380e-thumb.jpg)
Nutrition
When replenishing fluids, does milk beat water?
![Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13225/conversions/e383a8a9-497f-4146-bbef-4cf527a9bdf8-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Can a multivitamin keep your brain healthy?
![Is the COVID-19 pandemic over, or not? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13203/conversions/c453677d-51c8-472a-addf-2ebb77c57fc0-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Is the COVID-19 pandemic over, or not?
![Why life expectancy in the US is falling featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13157/conversions/4c456b75-222e-419b-a805-c6b2b19a9cef-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Why life expectancy in the US is falling
![Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis may lower dementia risk featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13143/conversions/c1f2556d-44c5-45c0-a378-8c31ca181e52-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis may lower dementia risk
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: A new injection treatment for eczema featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13124/conversions/46e24998-c874-45a0-babf-cb4531cbd72b-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Harvard Health Ad Watch: A new injection treatment for eczema
![The case of the bad placebo featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/13063/conversions/76693da8-a42b-4c67-8d16-64b0003800fa-thumb.jpg)
Heart Health
The case of the bad placebo
![How good is your cardiometabolic health — and what is that, anyway? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/12994/conversions/2cca3eed-8840-401a-9246-455615078d83-thumb.jpg)
Heart Health
How good is your cardiometabolic health — and what is that, anyway?
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