Recent Blog Articles

Got immunity? Thank your thymus

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

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

Men's Health
Harvard Health Ad Watch: What’s being cleansed in a detox cleanse?

Nutrition
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Are nutritional drinks actually good for you?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is there any good news about the coronavirus pandemic?

Staying Healthy
Time to redefine normal body temperature?

Men's Health
Can stress really make hair (or fur?) turn gray?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Hands or feet asleep? What to do

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Good for your teeth, bad for your bones?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Be careful where you get your news about coronavirus

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is your cell phone dangerous to your health?

Medications
Are polypills and population-based treatment the next big things?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: When marketing puts your health at risk

Medical Research
Why medical research keeps changing its mind

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
A new look at steroid injections for knee and hip osteoarthritis

Pain
Curcumin for arthritis: Does it really work?

Infectious diseases
HPV and cancer: The underappreciated connection

Healthy Eating
Plant-based diets are best… or are they?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
If you have migraines, put down your coffee and read this

Staying Healthy
Harvard Health Ad Watch: How direct-to-consumer ads hook us

Diseases & Conditions
Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don't) know

Staying Healthy
Do employee wellness programs actually work?

Staying Healthy
Are antibacterial products with triclosan fueling bacterial resistance?

Back Pain
Should you see a chiropractor for low back pain?

Men's Health
Showering daily -- is it necessary?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD