Recent Blog Articles

Easy ways to shop for healthful, cost-conscious foods

When — and how — should you be screened for colon cancer?

7 organs or glands you may do just fine without

How to help your child get the sleep they need

What color is your tongue? What's healthy, what's not?

Immune boosts or busts? From IV drips and detoxes to superfoods

The new RSV shot for babies: What parents need to know

Dealing with thick, discolored toenails

Prostate cancer: A new type of radiation treatment limits risk of side effects

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Why are toilets everywhere in this drug ad?

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

Diseases & Conditions
Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health

Staying Healthy
Is blood sugar monitoring without diabetes worthwhile?

Staying Healthy
Should we track all breakthrough cases of COVID-19?

Pain
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?

Mind & Mood
Terrified of needles? That can affect your health

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Are antidepressants also pain relievers?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Do vitamin D, zinc, and other supplements help prevent COVID-19 or hasten healing?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Mitochondria do a lot for you — what can you do for them?

Nutrition
Zero weight loss from zero calorie drinks? Say it ain’t so

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
You got the COVID-19 vaccine? I have vaccine envy

Staying Healthy
Does your health monitor have device bias?

Heart Health
Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
COVID-19 vaccines: Safety, side effects — and coincidence

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Can an arthritis drug help you become a morning person?

Heart Health
Are early detection and treatment always best?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Need surgery? Should you avoid your surgeon’s birthday?

Men's Health
Can gout be prevented?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Good news: Deaths due to HIV are way down

Heart Health
Will eating more chilis help you live longer?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Treating neuropathy: Which medication is best?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Masks save lives: Here's what you need to know

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Migraine headaches: Could nerve stimulation help?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Does lupus or arthritis affect your prognosis if you get COVID-19?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD