Dr. Pedro A. Calzada, M.D.

Generally speaking, health supplements are safe to consume, but there's not a lot of evidence to support their use as a treatment for any medical condition. Simple "trouble shooting" for fatigue involves making sure you are getting good sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. In addition, I would recommend a you visit a good primary care doctor to determine what may be causing your symptoms. Fatigue can be a sign of anything from diabetes to depression to sleep apnea. You need a good doctor to guide you through this diagnostic process. In the meantime, I would try regular exercise, a healthy diet, and above all, good sleep!

The list is too long to cover here. Common things being common, could be a hernia. My advice: see a good primary care doctor.

That crackling sound is known as crepitus and is usually a sign of arthritis. Typically, this is associated with the "wear-and-tear" type arthritis known formally as osteoarthritis and occurs as one ages. If it is painless, there is generally nothing to worry about; painful crepitus should be evaluated by a qualified health practitioner.