Recent Articles
Autism: The challenges and opportunities of an adult diagnosis
Hospice care: Overview of a compassionate approach to end-of-life care
Foot pain: A look at why your feet might hurt
Matcha: A look at possible health benefits
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
Forearm workouts: Strengthening grip for everyday function
Depression symptoms: Recognizing common and lesser-known symptoms
Medication side effects: What are your options?
Independent living with home care assistance: Balancing autonomy and support
Dialysis: What to expect from this life-changing — and lifesaving — treatment
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
Nutrition
Diet not working? Maybe its not your type
Cancer
The problem with tanning (and the myth of the base tan)
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Can you virtually improve your knee pain?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Some medications don’t help back pain as much as we thought
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The data are in: Eat right, reduce your risk of diabetes
Staying Healthy
Do glucosamine and chondroitin supplements actually work for arthritis?
Exercise & Fitness
Staying active at “that time of the month”
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What exactly is cupping?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The truth behind standing desks
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What Michelangelo’s hands (can and can’t) tell us about arthritis
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The truth about tequila and your bones
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Taking your medications as prescribed: Smartphones can help
Staying Healthy
How useful is the body mass index (BMI)?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
My fall last fall: Reaction time and getting older
Exercise & Fitness
Vitamin D and physical function: Is more better?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Why men often die earlier than women
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Kidney stones are on the rise
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Don't judge your mucus by its color
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
What happens when you faint?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The gender gap in sports injuries
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
The placebo effect: Amazing and real
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Is it hard to decide about total knee replacement? Totally!
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
First, do no harm
Recent Articles
Autism: The challenges and opportunities of an adult diagnosis
Hospice care: Overview of a compassionate approach to end-of-life care
Foot pain: A look at why your feet might hurt
Matcha: A look at possible health benefits
Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health
Forearm workouts: Strengthening grip for everyday function
Depression symptoms: Recognizing common and lesser-known symptoms
Medication side effects: What are your options?
Independent living with home care assistance: Balancing autonomy and support
Dialysis: What to expect from this life-changing — and lifesaving — treatment