Recent Blog Articles

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

Harvard Health Ad Watch: Why are toilets everywhere in this drug ad?

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
Autoimmune disease and stress: Is there a link?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Rethinking the screening mammogram

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Dogs and health: A lower risk for heart disease-related death?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Fertility and diet: Is there a connection?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Could medications contribute to dementia?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Chondroitin and melanoma: How worried should you be?

Exercise & Fitness
Aerobic exercise or tai chi for fibromyalgia — which is better?

Staying Healthy
Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: Does it really work?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Cryotherapy: Can it stop your pain cold?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Celebrities get shingles, too

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Where do you stand on bystander CPR?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why it’s so hard to lose excess weight and keep it off: The Biggest Losers’ experience

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Knowing when to screen... and when to quit

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Dr. Google: The top 10 health searches in 2017

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Stem-cell transplant: A possible high-risk/high-reward treatment for scleroderma

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Vaccinations: More than just kid stuff

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
10 things you can do for your pet when it’s cold outside

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The flu is here — and so is a new advisory from the CDC

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is "man flu" really a thing?

Staying Healthy
Why does hair turn gray?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What’s up with hiccups?

Mind & Mood