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
![Wondering about goosebumps? Of course you are featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10253/conversions/GettyImages-1042232602-thumb.jpg)
Skin and Hair
Wondering about goosebumps? Of course you are
![Metabolic syndrome is on the rise: What it is and why it matters featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10239/conversions/GettyImages-1125624928-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Metabolic syndrome is on the rise: What it is and why it matters
![Daily decisions about risk: What to do when there's no right answer featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10214/conversions/GettyImages-1157294770-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Daily decisions about risk: What to do when there's no right answer
![The plight of nursing home residents in a pandemic featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10210/conversions/GettyImages-12188904182-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The plight of nursing home residents in a pandemic
![Driving across the country in a pandemic featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10201/conversions/GettyImages-987662560-thumb.jpg)
Infectious diseases
Driving across the country in a pandemic
Infectious diseases
Bracing for contact tracing
![When dieting doesn't work featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10185/conversions/weight-loss-diet-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
When dieting doesn't work
![Some healthcare can safely wait (and some can’t) featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10182/conversions/GettyImages-183306613-thumb.jpg)
Men's Health
Some healthcare can safely wait (and some can’t)
![And now for some good news on health featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10179/conversions/GettyImages-479607780-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
And now for some good news on health
![Harvard Health AdWatch: An arthritis ad in 4 parts featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11199/conversions/78854f4e-41b8-427a-8f4f-dd243b9265bf-thumb.jpg)
Arthritis
Harvard Health AdWatch: An arthritis ad in 4 parts
![More sexual partners, more cancer? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10156/conversions/GettyImages-1125912442-thumb.jpg)
Cancer
More sexual partners, more cancer?
![As the pandemic drags on, when can we get back to work? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10143/conversions/GettyImages-1195079654-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
As the pandemic drags on, when can we get back to work?
![Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10140/conversions/sporty-man-with-knee-pain-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often?
![Does CBD help with arthritis pain? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10127/conversions/GettyImages-1211772274-thumb.jpg)
Pain
Does CBD help with arthritis pain?
![What’s it like to be a healthcare worker in a pandemic? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10123/conversions/GettyImages-1213658016-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What’s it like to be a healthcare worker in a pandemic?
![Lifestyle changes are important even if you take medications featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10118/conversions/medicatioon-and-lifestyle-changes-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Lifestyle changes are important even if you take medications
![COVID-19: If you’re older and have chronic health problems, read this featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10109/conversions/GettyImages-182250161-thumb.jpg)
Men's Health
COVID-19: If you’re older and have chronic health problems, read this
![OK, boomer: You’re not the only one who needs testing for hepatitis C featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10106/conversions/GettyImages-1139105492-thumb.jpg)
Men's Health
OK, boomer: You’re not the only one who needs testing for hepatitis C
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10099/conversions/GettyImages-1148520760-thumb.jpg)
Men's Health
Harvard Health Ad Watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: Are nutritional drinks actually good for you? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10091/conversions/GettyImages-1179729685-1-thumb.jpg)
Nutrition
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Are nutritional drinks actually good for you?
![Is there any good news about the coronavirus pandemic? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10090/conversions/GettyImages-187407339-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is there any good news about the coronavirus pandemic?
![Time to redefine normal body temperature? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10080/conversions/GettyImages-1205118861-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Time to redefine normal body temperature?
![Can stress really make hair (or fur?) turn gray? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10071/conversions/GettyImages-517161084-thumb.jpg)
Men's Health
Can stress really make hair (or fur?) turn gray?
![Hands or feet asleep? What to do featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10057/conversions/GettyImages-1069481066-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Hands or feet asleep? What to do
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