What Is Diastasis Recti And An Umbilical Hernia?

Posted on Fri, 18 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 Answered on

Thu, 8 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I'm looking for information on how to tell the difference between diastasis recti and an umbilical hernia in a 60 year old male who was a football player when he was young, college years, and has lifted weights and worked out hard and regularly until the past five years or so. I thought my father had a hernia when he started complaining of pain and a bulge just above his umbilical cord. I asked about it here. But since then I realized the bulge is the size of a small fist, irregular in shape and disappears completely when he lies on his back. Yet it is causing him a lot of discomfort, pain and nausea at times, manageable only by lying flat and/or wearing a belt that supports his stomach. We are in XXXXXXX Chile and it is very, very expensive, especially since we are foreigners with no insurance. I need as much information as I can to help me figure out if he needs an ultrasound right away or if I can put him on a schedule of exercises to strengthen his transversal abdominals. I appreciate all and any info you can provide. Thank you! XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Umbilical hernia Detailed Answer: Hi there.. Thanks for writing in.... Diastasis recti is a gap between the abdominal muscles. You can feel the gap with your fingers. Diastasis recti generally would not cause pain , discomfort or nausea. Ask your father to lie on his back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your fingers just above his belly button. Ask him to lift his head, neck and shoulders slightly off the floor and you slightly press down with your fingertips. If you feel a gap, that’s the diastasis. You will feel the muscles close in around your fingers as he lifts his head and neck. The fact that it disappears completely while lying on his back points to a hernia. If the swelling appears or increases in size on coughing or straining, on standing up, more in favour of a hernia. However, hernia can sometimes cause intestinal strangulation which can cause serious problems and complications like intestinal obstruction and gangrene. Other danger signs to watch out for are discoloration of the swelling, constipation, vomiting, pain etc. The fact that he has pain and nausea, I would definitely advise that it would best to consult a surgeon, who might do a physical examination and an ultrasound ... and decide on the further management. Hope this information was helpful to you. Regards, Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar