I chose hyperthyroidism because I recently met someone who is afflicted with this disorder and it appears to affect them profoundly. Of course we have already talked about some of the epithelial tissues which relate to thyroid glands and from what little I've read about itm and the symptoms my friend exhibits, there is also a neurological component affected.

Four websites that I found interesting.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperthyr.../DS00344/DSECTION=3
This website is posted by the Mayo Clinic. They are posting the information for general public use. They cover topics such as signs, symptoms, causes, screening and diagnosis, complications, treatment, and self care.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000356.htm
This website is posted by the Naional Library of Medicine in conjunction with the National Institute of Health. They post the information for general public benefit. They talk about causes, symptoms, exams and tests, outlook, treatment, complications, and when to consult a medical professional.

http://home.rica.net/deecee/dianne.htm
This website is posted by a woman named Diane who was diagnosed with Graves disease and Thyroid-Associated Opthatlmopathy in her forties. She is posting it to tell her story and to give hope to those who may be going through the same thing. They offer information about how the disease works, what one can expect when they are diagnosed with Graves disease, support groups, links to other Graves resources, and treatment options.

http://www.ithyroid.com/
This website is posted by a man John Johnson who has suffered from thyroid disorders for years and wants to help others like himself. He offers an incredible wealth of information for anyone who is suffering from or who believes they may be suffering from a number of thyroid disorders. He talks thyroid disorders and their treatments, signs and symptoms, tests, latest developments, drugs, new studies, and altermative treatments.

I thought the first website was very informative. It also had other related links and was brief.

I thought the second website was also very informative, containing some diagrams, it was just a little harded to navigate. But still a very good website.

The third webpage was excellent. I loved the personal story of this woman. She had a lot of information to offer, yet it was on a personal level.

The fourth webpage was another informative site. The author seemed to be personally motivated and maybe a bit harsh with the medical community, but still a great, informative website.

The 1st website was brief and informative, and it provided other useful links. It could've used some diagrams though.

The 2nd website was also very informative, and it also used diagrams. I think the website could've been a little more organized, but that's probably just due to personal preference.

I liked the personal story of this woman in your 3rd website. She was informative with a personal touch. However a source with better credentials would've improved the website.

The source of your 4th website also doesn't seem to have qualified credentials, but I like how the bold red print towards the top of the page warns the reader about this in an obvious way. I also don't like how the author bases her information on her own experience. Nevertheless, the website was still informative.

-The http://www.ithyroid.com/ website was a good personal story although a bit light on solid facts about hyperthyroidism in a site that supposedly is suggesting cures for the disease.

-The http://home.rica.net/deecee/dianne.htm website gives us great personal stories about a woman and others affected by this disease.

-The last two websites, although from very respectable organizations, were still a little bit light on information.

Interesting topic and you do a great job explaining the websites you've chosen. Obviously the first two Mayo and NIM would be great major websites to review. Your other two personal stories would be good choices for a lesser or minor website. Nothing to add to the details your peers have provided. Thanks for your detailed peer feedback,.
LF
Choose topic: 10 points
Find four websites: 20 points
Peer reviews: 10 points

Steve Russell's online review of http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperthyr.../DS00344/DSECTION=1. Which I found to offer a concise introduction to hyperthyroidism.


   This website was created by the Mayo Clinic, which is a not for profit health clinic dedicated to treating complex diseases. They have created it to offer a handy online resource for people who suspect they are, or may already be suffering from hyperthyroidism. As part of this online resource, they offer information on signs and symptoms, causes, screening and diagnosis, treatment options, complications, self care, and when you should seek treatment for hyperthyroidism.
    Reviewing this website immeadiately provokes questions about the more complex functions of the thyroid gland and it's intimate relationship with our general well being. A healthy thyroid gland relies on the pituitary gland and a region of the brain known as the hypothalamus working in concert to regulate levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. This process which is used to regulate the body's metabolism, relies on proper sensory and motor neuron function, effective propagation of action potentials to the glands, correctly functioning tissues within the glands, and proper nutrition among other things to run smoothly.
   The two best features of this website were the ease of navigation, and the straight forward approach to delivering the information. There was no point at which I felt I was reading anything superfluous. The worst features of the site would be the brevtiy of the information and the large advertisements that weren't related to the subject I was reviewing. The lack of indepth technical information I think can be attributed to the fact that this website is geared toward lay people who would probably be confused and irritated by all the medical jargon.

                 Steven P. Russell

 A review of http://home.rica.net/deecee/dianne.htm. An interesting look into the journey this woman took through her battle with hyperthyroidism. I found it to be informative and alarming.

   This website was posted by a woman named Dianne who has fought a long battle with hyperthyroidism. She posted the website to offer more insight into what one can expect when diagnosed with hyperthyroidism as well as give them hope through her own stories that life can be better and go on. The topics are generally non technical but specifically geared a toward emotional and clinical support. The site deals with many personal stories which are interesting and frightening at the same time. Also included are links to other Grave's Disease sites, information on living with Grave's, and hormone replacement therapy all told through the viewpoint of people who have experienced this first hand.
   This site, thought not terribly technical, does present some information on the processes affected by hyperthyroidism. Through their personal stories, the people who post on the site paint a picture of the struggle one must endure while living with an overactive metabolism, inhibitted mental functions, physical and mental fatigue and stress, and the emotional aspects of dealing with all of this. It becomes clear that a properly functioning thyroid is something that the rest of us take for granted everyday.
    The best features of the site are the practical information and the inspirational stories of those who have come through on the other side and want others who are suffering to know that it can be done. The worst part of the website as it relates to anatomy and physiology is that it has a lack of information on just what is happening inside the body when one is stricken with hyperthyroidism. This of course is due to the fact that it is meant as a supporting website offering help in finding treatment and emotional support rather than technical information.

                Steven P. Russell

In your major review of the Mayo's website, I found nothing missing.
I did like how you explained the relationship between the thyroid and the rest of the body. But I think you could have expanded more on what hyperthyroidism actually is and how it affects the body.

I found nothing missing in you minor review either except it didn't state it was your minor website.
I enjoyed that you included symptoms of hyperthyroidism and that you mentioned Graves Disease. I might have included and actual link to the Graves Disease site in my review though. You may want to expand on how this relates back to A&P. Overall I think you did a great job on your reviews.

I find nothing missing in either of your essays.

Both reviews were good, stuck to the point, and explained what needed to be explained. The only problem is that they're too short.

Steve, be sure that the title from your upper website review indicates which website is being reviewed. I'm guessing by the URL address that it's for your minor website. Just add, "Minor Website Review" at the beginning of the title. In addition, I do recall that our instructor wants us to include two of the best feautres and two of the worst features in the website. I only saw one of each.

I thought you were very thorough about who posted the website, why it was posted, and what topics it covered. However, I thought the part that explains how the website relates to A&P could use improvement. Although the website doesn't have a lot of technical information about hyperthyroidism, I would at least go beyond the scope of what the website covers and just explain how the disease itself relates to A&P.


Once again, be sure to indicate which website is being reviewed in your title for the lower website review. I'm guessing this is your major webstie review, and you seem to be missing the addtional links to those subpages where you found the pros and cons of the website.

I thought you did a good job explaining the relevance of your website/topic to anantomy and physiology because you mentioned the parts of our body's antamony and physiology that are important for understanding the issue your website deals with. The only thing I believe would improve your website review is to add what's missing.

Your first review on the Mayo Clinic was very informative. It does not have a title but I like how you launch right into what the website has to offer clinically. You give a very concise explanation of what a reader should expect to find on this website. I especially liked how you went into detail on all the different aspects that are needed to function properly in order for the thyroid gland to function properly.
The second review I thought was quite interesting because it is a personal story. It also is lacking a title. I think you do a good job of getting across what you got out of this website with the emotional aspect of hyperthyroidism.