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
![Why the wheelchair? Could it be gout? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9748/conversions/iStock-475067620-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why the wheelchair? Could it be gout?
a to z
Ankle Fracture
![How long does a joint replacement last? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9735/conversions/iStock-914140918-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
How long does a joint replacement last?
![Sweeteners: Time to rethink your choices? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9711/conversions/iStock-1037859810-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Sweeteners: Time to rethink your choices?
![What’s in your supplements? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9704/conversions/iStock-843635042-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What’s in your supplements?
![In defense of French fries featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9696/conversions/iStock-647133812-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
In defense of French fries
![Alternative therapies for cancer featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9692/conversions/iStock-1124447396-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Alternative therapies for cancer
![Does weather affect arthritis pain? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9676/conversions/iStock-1053791954-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Does weather affect arthritis pain?
![Can watching sports be bad for your health? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9670/conversions/iStock-492678255-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Can watching sports be bad for your health?
![Surgeons are doing fewer knee surgeries featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9655/conversions/iStock-462284433-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Surgeons are doing fewer knee surgeries
![Spinal Cord Trauma featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/6789/conversions/az-d04401620726343914-thumb.jpg)
a to z
Spinal Cord Trauma
a to z
Spina Bifida
![Coffee may help your skin stay healthy featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9603/conversions/iStock-646654472-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Coffee may help your skin stay healthy
![Where people die featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9600/conversions/iStock-501741686-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Where people die
![Is Coca-Cola really putting pot in its beverages? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9582/conversions/iStock-645442374-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is Coca-Cola really putting pot in its beverages?
![Conflict of interest in medicine featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9573/conversions/iStock-885099664-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Conflict of interest in medicine
![Drip bar: Should you get an IV on demand? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9572/conversions/iStock-478468561-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Drip bar: Should you get an IV on demand?
![Alcohol and your health: Is none better than a little? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9564/conversions/Alcohol-and-cancer-blog-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Alcohol and your health: Is none better than a little?
![Health benefits of walnuts featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9531/conversions/iStock-481114390-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Health benefits of walnuts
![Sorting out the health effects of alcohol featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9524/conversions/iStock-611986658-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Sorting out the health effects of alcohol
![Top searches on health topics? It may depend on where you live featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9519/conversions/typing-on-keyboard-computer-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Top searches on health topics? It may depend on where you live
![Health benefits of coffee and a proposed warning label featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9516/conversions/iStock-673468996-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Health benefits of coffee and a proposed warning label
![How long will my hip or knee replacement last? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9511/conversions/iStock-949351904-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
How long will my hip or knee replacement last?
![Autoimmune disease and stress: Is there a link? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9505/conversions/iStock-893470424-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Autoimmune disease and stress: Is there a link?
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