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
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Rethinking the screening mammogram
![Dogs and health: A lower risk for heart disease-related death? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9483/conversions/iStock-849301518-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Dogs and health: A lower risk for heart disease-related death?
![Fertility and diet: Is there a connection? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9473/conversions/iStock-947181826-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Fertility and diet: Is there a connection?
![Could medications contribute to dementia? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9467/conversions/iStock-912219896-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Could medications contribute to dementia?
![Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/10927/conversions/ffb2b930-6471-4c2c-9bb4-70488f8c1e8a-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Knuckle cracking: Annoying and harmful, or just annoying?
![Chondroitin and melanoma: How worried should you be? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9454/conversions/iStock-614861450-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Chondroitin and melanoma: How worried should you be?
![Aerobic exercise or tai chi for fibromyalgia — which is better? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9445/conversions/iStock-517522543-thumb.jpg)
Exercise & Fitness
Aerobic exercise or tai chi for fibromyalgia — which is better?
![Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: Does it really work? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9442/conversions/iStock-663997794-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Apple cider vinegar for weight loss: Does it really work?
![Cryotherapy: Can it stop your pain cold? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9435/conversions/iStock-521312336-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Cryotherapy: Can it stop your pain cold?
![Whooping cough featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7872/conversions/whooping-cough-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Whooping cough
![Is it ok to use medications past their expiration dates? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11888/conversions/53752ad1-8f76-41de-9a89-31ad2937deda-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Is it ok to use medications past their expiration dates?
![Treatments for post-nasal drip featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/11884/conversions/f86e4636-767a-4e83-8a80-999ee57cee58-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Treatments for post-nasal drip
![Gum disease and the connection to heart disease featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7878/conversions/0d2f34d8-fa89-458c-95ff-47430a4ac18016207268051468-thumb.jpg)
Diseases & Conditions
Gum disease and the connection to heart disease
![Understanding the results of your colonoscopy featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/7880/conversions/883f3edf-d131-4d57-86da-2c30158d5aa8-thumb.jpg)
Staying Healthy
Understanding the results of your colonoscopy
![Celebrities get shingles, too featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9429/conversions/iStock-495765256-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Celebrities get shingles, too
![Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9420/conversions/NSAID-ibuprofen-pills-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication?
![Where do you stand on bystander CPR? featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9417/conversions/iStock-906536840-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Where do you stand on bystander CPR?
![Why it’s so hard to lose excess weight and keep it off: The Biggest Losers’ experience featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9400/conversions/iStock-543180730-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why it’s so hard to lose excess weight and keep it off: The Biggest Losers’ experience
![Knowing when to screen... and when to quit featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9391/conversions/iStock-598717156-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Knowing when to screen... and when to quit
![Dr. Google: The top 10 health searches in 2017 featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9382/conversions/iStock-692732536-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Dr. Google: The top 10 health searches in 2017
![Stem-cell transplant: A possible high-risk/high-reward treatment for scleroderma featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9379/conversions/iStock-613894446-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Stem-cell transplant: A possible high-risk/high-reward treatment for scleroderma
![Vaccinations: More than just kid stuff featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9370/conversions/vaccine-syaringe-shot-prep-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Vaccinations: More than just kid stuff
![10 things you can do for your pet when it’s cold outside featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9362/conversions/iStock-507112750-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
10 things you can do for your pet when it’s cold outside
![The flu is here — and so is a new advisory from the CDC featured image](https://domf5oio6qrcr.cloudfront.net/medialibrary/9342/conversions/iStock-621616810-thumb.jpg)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The flu is here — and so is a new advisory from the CDC
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