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
![Time to stock up on zinc? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11939/conversions/527a87f6-a871-482c-ad1a-42b0b3d2eacd-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Time to stock up on zinc?
![Careful! Health news headlines can be deceiving featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11912/conversions/c31004b6-0b67-45dc-b092-ddf0ab3a0ddb-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Careful! Health news headlines can be deceiving
![Preparing for the holidays? Don't forget rapid tests for COVID-19 featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11903/conversions/05dbd3dd-5890-4675-9d6d-5f4403a2659f-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Preparing for the holidays? Don't forget rapid tests for COVID-19
![Can vaping help you quit smoking? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11879/conversions/ce4e759e-e311-4946-873c-d8047113d4bc-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Can vaping help you quit smoking?
![Thinking about COVID booster shots? Here's what to know featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11773/conversions/6916c010-400a-4c29-868a-1f1d8e644b65-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Thinking about COVID booster shots? Here's what to know
![What happened to trusting medical experts? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11816/conversions/d06a5ec1-c999-4558-8853-0d547f87d2f6-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
What happened to trusting medical experts?
![Is metformin a wonder drug? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11756/conversions/4b2dfe64-3cd7-48f3-9f5c-87c61a37b965-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Is metformin a wonder drug?
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: Can a wearable device reduce stress? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11744/conversions/395e9344-871f-4e79-be4f-ad908f863c2c-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Can a wearable device reduce stress?
![Wondering how much your medical care will cost? New rules could help featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11658/conversions/5174c402-0f18-4577-8360-a622b9c26520-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Wondering how much your medical care will cost? New rules could help
![Remember the flu? Yep, it's that time again featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11639/conversions/6ed8031e-8628-4fe5-ae9b-bf3558439bc5-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Remember the flu? Yep, it's that time again
![Unvaccinated and misunderstood? Let's talk featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11577/conversions/0b288458-1f5c-4223-a102-9868dba0bded-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Unvaccinated and misunderstood? Let's talk
![Does HIPAA prohibit questions about vaccination? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11519/conversions/1553ab61-519a-4056-89cd-ea0e7cc97d57-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Does HIPAA prohibit questions about vaccination?
![Tempted to have genetic testing? First ask why featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11441/conversions/39625b63-39a0-42f0-a141-c622b36ee6ac-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Tempted to have genetic testing? First ask why
![Can wearing contacts harm your vision? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11370/conversions/c7b94f4f-36fc-4d10-8d2b-0f5626cb536b-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Can wearing contacts harm your vision?
![Ready for your routine medical checkup? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11334/conversions/1e30c11b-b464-47af-a432-7a86606b954f-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Ready for your routine medical checkup?
![Wondering about a headline-grabbing drug? Read on featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11241/conversions/b6b63150-b1da-48c8-b2fd-8adfac80f025-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Wondering about a headline-grabbing drug? Read on
![Is our healthcare system broken? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11205/conversions/f6d452d9-ee17-4d57-88e5-dd83ac1ffc3e-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Is our healthcare system broken?
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: How helpful are pulse monitors and home ECGs? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11123/conversions/4d2330f3-aa6e-4901-b975-3b9cf9c0ec7c-thumb.jpg)
Heart Health
Harvard Health Ad Watch: How helpful are pulse monitors and home ECGs?
![Using weight loss or sports supplements? Exercise caution featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11076/conversions/74303300-2323-4a01-ae6e-4e5e699c49b9-thumb.jpg)
Nutrition
Using weight loss or sports supplements? Exercise caution
![Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10826/conversions/75145fe7-ea58-487f-959c-a00646276012-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health
![Is blood sugar monitoring without diabetes worthwhile? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10828/conversions/df31f284-a6e7-49f2-b7ad-08c6ee1d544e-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Is blood sugar monitoring without diabetes worthwhile?
![Should we track all breakthrough cases of COVID-19? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10829/conversions/ae6b69d5-37ed-4f84-8ec5-875b27e9b757-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Should we track all breakthrough cases of COVID-19?
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10553/conversions/8bad082a-2780-4e4f-ab9a-317f49263226-thumb.jpg)
Pain
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?
![Terrified of needles? That can affect your health featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10493/conversions/GettyImages-547024462-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
Terrified of needles? That can affect your health
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