
Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?

Healthier planet, healthier people

Counting steps is good — is combining steps and heart rate better?

Appendix pain: Could it be appendicitis?

Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?

How does Ozempic work? Understanding GLP-1s for diabetes, weight loss, and beyond

Zinc: What it does for the body, and the best food sources

Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help

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
Alcohol and your health: Is none better than a little?

Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Health benefits of walnuts

Staying Healthy
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
How long will my hip or knee replacement last?

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?

Diseases & Conditions
Whooping cough

Staying Healthy
Is it ok to use medications past their expiration dates?

Staying Healthy
Treatments for post-nasal drip

Diseases & Conditions
Gum disease and the connection to heart disease

Staying Healthy
Understanding the results of your colonoscopy

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?

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?

Healthier planet, healthier people

Counting steps is good — is combining steps and heart rate better?

Appendix pain: Could it be appendicitis?

Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?

How does Ozempic work? Understanding GLP-1s for diabetes, weight loss, and beyond

Zinc: What it does for the body, and the best food sources

Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help