Recent Blog Articles

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

Got expendable body parts?

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?

Will miscarriage care remain available?

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

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
FDA curbs unfounded memory supplement claims

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Beer before wine? Wine before beer?

Staying Healthy
The trouble with new drugs

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is obesity a reason to avoid joint replacement surgery?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why the wheelchair? Could it be gout?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
How long does a joint replacement last?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Sweeteners: Time to rethink your choices?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What’s in your supplements?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
In defense of French fries

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Alternative therapies for cancer

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Does weather affect arthritis pain?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Can watching sports be bad for your health?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Surgeons are doing fewer knee surgeries

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Coffee may help your skin stay healthy

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Where people die

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is Coca-Cola really putting pot in its beverages?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Conflict of interest in medicine

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Drip bar: Should you get an IV on demand?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Alcohol and your health: Is none better than a little?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Health benefits of walnuts

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Sorting out the health effects of alcohol

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Top searches on health topics? It may depend on where you live

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Health benefits of coffee and a proposed warning label

Robert H. Shmerling, MD