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
![Good for your teeth, bad for your bones? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10048/conversions/GettyImages-983312054-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Good for your teeth, bad for your bones?
![Be careful where you get your news about coronavirus featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10035/conversions/GettyImages-498214865-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Be careful where you get your news about coronavirus
![Is your cell phone dangerous to your health? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10021/conversions/GettyImages-535538057-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is your cell phone dangerous to your health?
![Are polypills and population-based treatment the next big things? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10013/conversions/single-pill-not-multiple-pills-thumb.jpg)
Medications
Are polypills and population-based treatment the next big things?
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: When marketing puts your health at risk featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10010/conversions/GettyImages-491933606-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: When marketing puts your health at risk
![Why medical research keeps changing its mind featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10006/conversions/medical-news-blog-04-22-16-thumb.jpg)
Medical Research
Why medical research keeps changing its mind
![A new look at steroid injections for knee and hip osteoarthritis featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9995/conversions/steroid-injection-into-the-knee-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
A new look at steroid injections for knee and hip osteoarthritis
![Curcumin for arthritis: Does it really work? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9958/conversions/GettyImages-1145055978-thumb.jpg)
Pain
Curcumin for arthritis: Does it really work?
![HPV and cancer: The underappreciated connection featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9955/conversions/GettyImages-1095630608-thumb.jpg)
Infectious diseases
HPV and cancer: The underappreciated connection
![Plant-based diets are best… or are they? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9947/conversions/vegetables-forming-a-question-mark-thumb.jpg)
Healthy Eating
Plant-based diets are best… or are they?
![If you have migraines, put down your coffee and read this featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9914/conversions/caffeine-headache-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
If you have migraines, put down your coffee and read this
![Harvard Health Ad Watch: How direct-to-consumer ads hook us featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9904/conversions/GettyImages-1034435520-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Harvard Health Ad Watch: How direct-to-consumer ads hook us
![Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don't) know featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9886/conversions/GettyImages-614970132-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don't) know
![Do employee wellness programs actually work? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9871/conversions/GettyImages-1160596878-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Do employee wellness programs actually work?
![Are antibacterial products with triclosan fueling bacterial resistance? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9865/conversions/GettyImages-157527531-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Are antibacterial products with triclosan fueling bacterial resistance?
![Should you see a chiropractor for low back pain? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9859/conversions/GettyImages-185184359-thumb.jpg)
Back Pain
Should you see a chiropractor for low back pain?
![Showering daily -- is it necessary? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9829/conversions/GettyImages-903363202-thumb.jpg)
Men's Health
Showering daily -- is it necessary?
![A poor sense of smell might matter more than you thought featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9818/conversions/older-woman-in-wheelchair-smelling-a-flower-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
A poor sense of smell might matter more than you thought
![Tramadol: Uses, side effects, and risks featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9816/conversions/GettyImages-998493032-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Tramadol: Uses, side effects, and risks
![FDA curbs unfounded memory supplement claims featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9806/conversions/GettyImages-515307233-thumb.jpg)
Mind & Mood
FDA curbs unfounded memory supplement claims
![Beer before wine? Wine before beer? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9802/conversions/GettyImages-846037086-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Beer before wine? Wine before beer?
a to z
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
![The trouble with new drugs featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9779/conversions/GettyImages-909288366-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
The trouble with new drugs
![Is obesity a reason to avoid joint replacement surgery? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9760/conversions/iStock-949351904-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is obesity a reason to avoid joint replacement surgery?
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