Secondhand smoke is actually one of the passive health effects of smoking; you might not do it, but you might get affected by someone who does. Moreover, if you smoke or know someone who does, you must have noticed the unpleasant smell and seen people wave off the smoke or cover their nose and mouth around you. But the unpleasantness of the smoke goes beyond the smell. Secondhand smoke is the smoke released [exhaled] by a smoker or by the cigarette into the air. There are about 4000 chemicals in the secondhand smoke, 50 of which can cause cancer. In some, the carcinogenic products found are greater in secondhand smoke than the smoke inhaled by the smokers. There is also twice the amount of nicotine and tar in the secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke remains in the room for several hours. No amount of ventilation, air-filtration, or opening a window is effective in removing smoke from a building.  The best way is to prevent secondhand smoking effects is to make it a rule to not smoke indoors. The toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke remains in the air much longer after you stub the cigarette. It settles on walls, fabrics, carpets, furniture, and toys. Anyone close to these objects may experience effects of secondhand smoke/passive smoking. If you are in a room or vehicle where people usually smoke, then you are exposed to secondhand smoke, even if no one smokes in your presence. Effects of secondhand smoking on health There are many secondhand smoking effects on the health. A slight exposure could cause serious problems. Children are the most affected as they breathe more rapidly and their immune system is vulnerable. Those exposed to secondhand smoke develop bronchitis, tonsillitis, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Seniors, pregnant women and people who have cardiac or respiratory problems are at a greater risk. Prominent secondhand smoking effects include irritation to the eyes, in the nose, and throat. It can also cause a headache, coughing, and nausea. It may increase the risk of asthma, lung infections, and even lung cancer. It can result in heart problems, damage reproduction system, and reduce fertility; it also leads to breast cancer, if exposed prior to menopause.

The idea behind the consolidation of a loan is to help streamline the private loan payments into a single payment. This will bring down the amount you pay every month and will also save the amount you pay in the form of interest. When you consolidate private student loans, you enjoy a lower interest rate and a low monthly payment. With consolidation, you will have new terms and conditions to abide by, and your credit history will be reconsidered. This means you may make the most of this opportunity and enjoy a loan at a low interest rate. If your credit score has improved, you will be able to enjoy better terms on the loan and you will not need a co-signer as well. There are various benefits of consolidating a loan, but it is best to weigh your options and make a well-informed decision. If your credit score has deteriorated since the last time you borrowed, you might have to wait for some time before your loan is consolidated. Tips on consolidating a private student loan You need to find the right bank and the right lender to consolidate your loan. Here are a few tips you could follow.

• Consider different lenders and do not limit yourself to the current lender. In order to consolidate private student loans, you need to look for the best options and perform an online search to get different quotes.
• Read the reviews and understand whether it is a good decision to consolidate the loan at this point in time.
• Compare the interest rates offered by different lenders and inquire about the hidden costs associated with the same.
• Before you decide to consolidate a private student loan, you will have to understand how long it takes to repay the loan after the consolidation.

The entire purpose of consolidating a loan is to make the repayment easier and quicker. If consolidation does not help you achieve the same, it does not make sense to go for it. You need to consider the benefits from the consolidation before you sign on the documents. Consider the new interest rate and any circumstances that may cause a change in the same. Study the market and make a well-informed decision so as to benefit from the low interest and long repayment tenure with the consolidation of private loans.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease caused by the immune system attacking the joints in the body resulting in swelling, pain, and inflammation. This illness can affect people of all age groups. The exact cause is still unknown, and there is no permanent cure for the condition. However, early treatment and lifestyle changes can relieve the symptoms and discomfort associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Important changes include adding certain foods that help combat inflammation.  Best foods to manage symptoms Although several treatment options can help relieve the associated symptoms, adding certain foods to one’s daily meals may also ease the discomfort. Some of these foods are:  Beans This food is packed with fiber, which can help lower the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), leading to less inflammation. Beans are also a rich source of magnesium, protein, folic acid, zinc, and potassium. So it is advised to regularly consume kidney, red, and pinto beans to fight inflammation and boost immunity.  Cherries Cherries contain anthocyanins—a chemical that is a potent antioxidant and helps manage inflammation. In addition, the fruit also helps in fighting against cell damage to make the bones and joints get stronger. So, people with the condition should opt for freshly picked cherries every day to help build strength and reduce the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.  Carrots Carrots and other orange-colored vegetables are rich sources of beta-carotene and vitamin A, which help the body fight against inflammation. These vegetables can be cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces. Fish Omega 3 fatty acids, often found in fish like tuna and salmon, are extremely beneficial for the health of rheumatoid arthritis patients. They help fight inflammation and decrease the discomfort caused by symptoms like morning stiffness and aching joints. However, one should ensure that the fish is not overcooked. One can bake or grill it twice a week.  In addition to the above-mentioned foods, one should consult a healthcare expert for treatment options that can help slow the disease’s progression. One of the most effective options is SIMPONI®, which can be injected as recommended by the doctor to reduce the symptoms like joint swelling, pain, fatigue, and morning stiffness. It also helps improve the physical function of the patients. Other options, such as Enbrel® and Humira®, may also be recommended for people with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Bulletproof vests are very useful safety equipment that can be divided into two varieties, soft and hard armor. Both kinds perform the same function but are used depending on the situation. Read on to know more about the different types of bulletproof vests. Soft armor bulletproof vest These are comfortable bulletproof vests that are usually worn by police officers. However, the vest is less protective compared to hard armor. The material used to make soft armor is an incredibly tough net fabric, similar to Kevlar. The material efficiently stops any projectile and spreads the effects of its force across the entire vest. Soft armor bulletproof vests are helpful in deflecting knives and pistol calibers. They are also normally placed in inserts, which are later added to carriers, bags, or stronger plates. Hard armor bulletproof vests Generally, hard armor plates are worn in a plate carrier. A plate carrier is a vest that can fit over your clothing. These bulletproof vests are made using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (plastic), steel plates, or ceramic composite. This form of armor is harder to conceal, but it also gives more protection. They are also available in different ratings and can shield a person against serious damage. Best bulletproof vests you can buy Body armor threat levels and the material of the vest need to be checked before purchasing a new bulletproof vest. Some of the top ones you can consider buying are as follows.

• Ceramic armor If you are ready to spend some money, ceramic armor can stop some pretty extreme bullets, like the fast M193 and M2AP (30.06 armor-piercing). This is the most expensive vest, costing more than USD 200, and is the bulkiest option in terms of thickness. But, it is lighter and normally Level IV. Ceramic armor is not the most durable; so, you will likely have to replace it if you drop it or fall on something while wearing it.
• AR500 Steel Plate Armor A bulletproof vest made using AR500 steel is the most economical hard armor in the market. It costs between USD 140 and USD 200 for both front and back plates. But this new bulletproof vest is also the heaviest, generally weighing more than eight pounds on each plate. It is very durable since most range targets are constructed out of AR500. It can maintain its integrity for years if properly stored. The vest can stop most rounds of a handgun. However, very high-velocity rounds such as the 5.56 M193 can still zip through Level 3 armor.

Following a religion like motorbiking comes with excitement and challenges. You could enjoy the joy of riding, but it doubles up with the right accessories. A true biker will want to ensure that he is safe and comfortable during a long biking journey. Here is a list of four mountain biking must haves. Riding gloves Ridings gloves are necessary for two reasons—their looks and the safety they offer. A good grip depends a lot on the right riding glove. It’s important that you get a pair that provides the right amount of protection to your fingers and knuckles. Good gloves can minimize the impact of a fall to quite an extent. There are many kinds of gloves available in the market these days. You could choose from street gloves, safety gloves, and everyday gloves. Protective jacket A jacket that makes you feel secure and protected is a must have for any biker. Whether it is made of cloth or leather, it needs to have the right layering to work well. You can get one based on the looks since that is important as well. CE certified jackets are always preferred because this certification means the jacket has the minimum grade pre-requisite for a good jacket. Make sure the protective jacket you buy can safeguard the elbows, shoulders, and back. Higher the CE grade, safer will be the jacket. Helmet sound system If you enjoy good music on the go, get a helmet with built-in speakers. Make sure that the speakers are high quality. Otherwise, you would just be wasting your money. Moreover, you can buy a tag that can be fixed to the back of your helmet. What this tag does is that it vibrates the sound in a manner that it surrounds the helmet to give you cinema-quality sound. Phone charger Getting a mobile charger on your motorcycle can prove to be a blessing. Firstly, there is one less thing to worry about. Secondly, you can enjoy a good ride for a longer time. It’s a great accessory to have on your motorbike since it allows you to charge on the go.

Love the sound of an unrefined roaring engine under the hood? Fancy the out of control torque trembling under your feet? Fast and Furious movies just not enough? Well, muscle cars are just what you need!

The thing about the muscle cars that make them so appealing is the feeling of trying to tame a beast. The rush, the adrenaline, the speed and of the rugged looks are to die for.

Muscle cars were sold for their sheer power and (although risky) recklessness. Also, known as classic cars, these cars spawned during the 70's were a hit in the country until the early 90's, when they were more in the news for bad reasons; accidents, illegal races etc. Then a wave of luxury and supercars swooped in and 'totaled' the muscle trend. Muscle cars though still hold a place in people's hearts and are collectors items with owners taking care of them like their own child it were their own offspring.

Car companies who manufactured these powerful 'beasts' with fierce looks and raw power, have mellowed down their approach and have refined them to fit current vehicle manufacturing laws. But, if vintage is what you like and if you're in the market to buy a used muscle car here're some things you need to know.

Muscle cars in the past were mostly hand manufactured. The whole powertrain of the car was assembled, calibrated and put in the chassis by workers. No machines included. This is what made them raw. Muscle cars are very different from other cars in terms of mechanisms such as fuel transmission and many mechanics don't touch muscle cars because they are not familiar with the older assembly. Also, the companies that manufacture muscle cars now do it in a very different way. Human hands are replaced by multi axes robotic arms on the assembly floor. So, make sure you know your way into the powertrain before you buy a used muscle car.

Tough on the inside, rusty on the outside. Keep a car outside on a rainy day for a day and the engine of the car might fail to start for the first time, but its exteriors will remain plush and unaffected by the lashing rain they were exposed to. Do it with a muscle car and the engine will roar away at the first turn of the key, but its exteriors might start to rust. Their V8 engines of cast iron can last for decades but the exteriors like door panels, hood and hinges will rust beyond comprehension. So, this is one of the major factors you should consider before buying a used muscle car. Be sure you have a covered place like a shed or garage to park the car.

A used muscle car, will come with a costlier vehicle insurance so be ready to dig deep for insurance.

The used muscle cars might have changed several hands before it finally made its way to you, so, make sure the car that you are planning to buy comes under the legal terms such as emission percentage to start with. You can visit websites like autotrader.com, fossilcars.com, cacars.com and other websites to get a good deal on used muscle cars that are tuned and have legal paperwork.

To sum up, don't get swayed by the excitement of owning a muscle car that you always wanted as a teenager. Consider the practicality involved in it and then tread further with caution before it proves to be a costly affair.