“Whole Life Health Care” is an integrative medical practice offering exceptional wholistic care for over 10 years. We are located near Portsmouth, NH and our patients come from far and near to seeking quality integrative healthcare and innovative naturopathic treatments to acheive optimum health.  We offer a multitude of therapies including general naturopathic alternative medicine, cutting-edge weight loss protocols, nutritional IV therapy, bio-identical hormone balancing, and homeopathic consultations.  Dr. Nicole Schertell provides general naturopathic family medicine at Whole Life Health Care, and serves as clinical director for “Image of Health- Digital Infrared Thermography Center”.  Dr. Schertell specializes in treating the “whole person” and honors the natural healing capacity of each individual.  While under naturopathic care, the doctor and patient work as a team to reach optimal health and wellness. Here we integrate the best of SCIENCE and NATURE’S WISDOM to provide safe and effective care for the whole family.

  We are dedicated to bringing the most advanced Breast and Full Body Thermographic Imaging to New England!  Our thermography equipment is the ONLY medical thermography device on the market that is also FDA-certified for breast screening.  By using our services, you can be assured that you will be in the best of hands and that you are receiving the MOST ACCURATE thermography screening available!

The procedure is done by a board certified certified clinical thermographer and doctor.  The images are then sent off-site to be interpreted by highly qualified MD thermologists, certified in both thermography and radiology. Breast Thermography can provide the EARLIEST warning signs of breast cancer possible. And best of all, THERMOGRAPHY is non-invasive, radiation-free, and painless! 

Thermography is extremely effective in detecting the earliest signs of abnormal cells and angiogenesis (abnormal blood vessel growth that often accompanies or preceedes cancer formation).  Prevention is the best medicine, and early detection can save lives!

To learn more about Digital Infrared Breast Thermography, CLICK HERE   OR for Full Body Thermography  CLICK HERE

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Bioidentical Hormone Balancing

…………Start feeling like yourself again…………

Bio-identical hormones are prescription hormones that are molecularly IDENTICAL to the hormones naturally produced by your own body. It is simply logical to believe that what is identical and familiar to the human body would be safer than that which is synthetic and extracted from a large female horse, however synthetic pharmaceutical hormones are still more commonly prescribed in the United States. The use of bioidentical hormone therapy is well tolerated, provides menopausal and peri-menopausal symptom relief, and may even address some of the degeneration involved with the aging process in both woman and men. It can also be helpful for younger woman who suffer from PMS, PMDD, severe mood swings, and other gynecological problems related to an underlying hormone imbalance. Take the HORMONE QUIZ now to see if you may benefit from hormone balancing treatment.

Many women suffer from menopausal symptoms because they are frightened of synthetic hormone replacement due to knowledge of the risks involved. In 2002 the National Institute of Health determined that conventional synthetic hormone replacement could increase a women’s risk of breast cancer, coronary events, stroke and blood clots. The study did not use any bio-identical hormones.

Dr. Nicole Schertell formulates custom compounded bioidentical hormone preparations for her patients, based on their individual needs. Saliva and blood testing are performed to determine the strength and dosage for the patient. Many patients report an improvement in symptoms within 1 week!

Most women experience a 30% drop in estrogen by age 50, then a sharp drop with menopause. Additionally, there is a trend of 75% loss of progesterone from age 35 to 50, followed by an additional loss of 50% by age 75. Properly controlled bio-identical hormones may slow down or delay the negative aging effects of hormonal decline. Replenishing and rebalancing hormones can rejuvinate and restore youthfulness.

Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency: Difficulty falling asleep, forgetfulness, mood changes, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, reduced stamina, dry vagina or painful intercourse, loss of skin radiance, upper lip wrinkles, sagging breasts, weight gain, body stiffness or joint pain, headaches, bloated feeling.

Symptoms of Progesterone Deficiency: PMS, breast tenderness before menstruation, heavy bleeding, large dark clots with menstruation, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, weight gain, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, fibroids or endometriosis in some cases.

Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency: Low libido, decreased muscle tone and strength, increased body fat, and decreased bone density. Hair loss, low motivation, decreased self-confidence, moodiness, and decreased energy are also possible.

Click here to read Dr. Schertell’s article on Thyroid hormone imbalance

Lyme Disease
“The Great Imitator”

A great epidemic has emerged, particularly in the eastern states whereas Rockingham County has the nation’s highest rates of Lyme Disease (LD).  It is an even greater problem because standard laboratory screening tests (ELISA) fail to detect an estimated 35% of cases. In addition, standard laboratories have omitted several Lyme specific bands from the Western Blot test due to a vaccine that was briefly administered in the 90′s.   These bands (numbered 31 and 34) are highly indicative of Lyme (Borrelia burgdorferi) exposure, yet these bands are not included in standard commercial Lyme tests (even though the Lyme vaccine is no longer available).  These factors make Lyme disease very challenging to diagnose.  Often, patients see multiple practitioners without getting any explanation for why they feel so sick. 

During her past several years on the seacoast, Dr. Nicole Schertell has diagnosed and treated many cases of Lyme Disease by using an integrative approach.  She is currently pursuing additional certification through ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society).  Her consultations begin with a comprehensive evaluation including a physical examination, after which she will recommend testing methods and a naturopathic treatment protocol.  IGeneX Laboratories offers specialty Lyme testing using a Western Blot that includes the previously omitted 31 and 34 bands.  If done properly, there is a potential for up to 97% accuracy (vs. 65% through commercial labs).  Naturopathic treatment of Lyme Disease takes into account the whole person and the multitude of bodily systems affected by the bacteria.  Treatment may include a combination of antibiotics (oral or intravenous) with herbs, homeopathy, nutrition recommendations, detoxification support, and general immune support.  Late stage Lyme also frequently attacks the endocrine system causing  hormone imbalances which Dr. Schertell may address using bio-identical hormones if necessary.

Lyme Disease is referred to as “The Great Imitator” because it can disguise itself as many different illnesses, and it affects each person differently. The following list includes only a few of the many health conditions that may be  mis-diagnosed, and could possibly be attributed to an underlying Lyme Disease infection: Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression, Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Menopausal Fevers/Sweats/Chills, and many others. 

If you suspect you may have Lyme, please fill out this Lyme Disease Checklist, and call our office to schedule a consultation.

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Integrative Cancer Care

After being diagnosed with cancer, it can be very overwhelming to sort through the immense number of cancer interventions promoted on the internet and recommended by friends and family members. With endless information out there, much of which seems conflicting, how do you know whom to trust?

Integrative medicine (IM) is whereby natural therapies are used under the instruction of a qualified doctor to complement traditional treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery).  These natural treatments work by reducing the side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and when used properly, can INCREASE the effectiveness of chemotherapy.   Natural therapies become “alternative” medicine when they become the primary therapy for patients who are terminal, do not qualify for chemotherapy, have not responded favorably to chemotherapy, or during a recurrence.

Despite the ever-growing popularity of alternative medicine, there are still very few oncologists who are well-versed in naturopathic or alternative methods of healing.  Their focus is to kill the cancer, and in doing so, the person with the cancer can be overlooked.  Naturopathic therapies strengthen the patient (physically, mentally, and emotionally) as they are going through chemotherapy.  Here is an analogy to help explain the role of naturopathic medicine in cancer care- “While cancer is the weed, integrative cancer care deals with the garden as well, making the soil as inhospitable as possible to growth and spread of the weed. “-The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 2010

Integrative naturopathic cancer treatments may include:

• Botanical / Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathy
• IV Vitamin C (intravenous)
• Customized Nutrition
• Iscador injections
• Vitamin/Nutrient Deficiency Testing
• Detoxification

We are proud to be the very first & most experienced practice in New Hampshire to offer the highly effective Simeons Weight Loss Protocol.   

Being overweight leads to increased health risks including depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, hormone imbalance, pain, arthritis, depression, and many other negative health consequences. It’s time to restore your health and shed years of fat with the Simeons Weight Loss Program, offered exclusively by Dr. Nicole Schertell at Whole Life Health Care near Portsmouth, NH.  Our patients are getting phenomenal lasting results, even after trying countless other methods without success.  This natural fat-burning protocol can influence substantial weight loss while offering the potential for additional benefits such as: improved mood & sense of well-being, increased skin elasticity, decreased blood sugar, decreased pain, lower cholesterol, and detoxification for overall health.  Both men & women may benefit from this program.  Please contact our office to attend one of our free Wednesday evening educational sessions to learn more, or call to speak with one of our staff members who can provide you with more details and answer all of your questions–(603)431-6677 ext. 218

Why is everyone talking about the Simeons diet?

• Cutting-edge weight loss protocols have recently been featured on the Dr. Oz show, in Kevin Trudeau’s book “The Weight Loss Cure” and on the cover of Women’s First Magazine! 
• This is a non-invasive method that works amazingly well for almost anyone- even stubborn bodies that normally refuse to budge on the scale.
• Provides rapid results in all the right places.  We allow patients to lose a maximum of 40 lbs per round, however additional rounds may be requested in order to reach the desired goal weight.
• We offer 20, 30 and 40-day rounds.  The doctor and weight loss coach will assess each patient to determine the number of rounds needed to achieve a healthy weight.
• Some patients report that it seems to have “reset” their body’s metabolism assisting with long-term weight loss maintenance.
• Our diet protocol will mobilize unnecessary and  unhealthy stored fat so that it can be burned for calories to sustain the patient on a restricted calorie diet.  This allows a patient to temporarily diet to achieve rapid weight loss with minimal hunger or discomfort.
• NO stimulants used.
• Little to no side-effects are reported with this protocol.

Our unique medically supervised weight loss program is an effective non-surgical way to treat the CAUSE of abnormal weight gain and food cravings. Upon completion of the program, many of our patients report that they feel better than ever and notice long-lasting results.

The Simeons diet is becoming the world’s leading weight loss diet, and we believe that is due to its effectiveness, safe and ease. We view it as the most effecient way to get rid of unwanted–and unhealthy—pounds.  After reducing your weight through this program, you can look forward to a new life or decreased pain and health risks, increased energy and exercise tolerance, and a new habit of eating smaller portion sizes of nutrient dense foods.

To read more, click here!

Let our trained medical staff take you there and contact us for a complementary consultation with one of our friendly weight loss coaches!