If you notice a bulge in your abdomen, you may be wondering if you have an abdominal hernia or rectus diastasis. It can be confusing and difficult to figure out the difference between the two and to tell whether you have one or the other (or both).
If you are curious about the difference between the two, then this article is for you. Here, Dr. Gregory Dumanian of Northwestern Plastic Surgery discusses abdominal hernias and rectus diastasis and explains the difference between the two.
What Is an Abdominal Hernia?
When an organ or tissue bulges out from a wall of muscle or connective tissue it is called a hernia. There are different types of hernias. An abdominal hernia is one of the most common types of hernia. It occurs when an organ or tissue bulges out of the abdominal wall. The abdominal wall is supposed to hold the intestines, stomach and liver in. When a hernia occurs, the abdominal wall fails to keep everything contained.
There are a number of different reasons why hernias occur. Some people get hernias following surgery. Others get hernias simply because of a thin area of the abdominal wall (from birth!) that weakens over the years. Heavy lifting and exertion can put pressure on the abdominal wall, and the thinner areas can fail over time.
A hernia will not get better on its own. Over time and without treatment, a hernia can get bigger as the intestines and fat inside the abdomen exit the abdominal cavity and end up under the skin. Hernias can become increasingly more painful over time.
What Is Rectus Diastasis?
Your rectus abdominis muscles are the muscles that run up and down the abdomen. Rectus diastasis, or diastasis recti, is a condition where the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscles separate. This is due to a stretching of the connective tissue. Rectus diastasis is common during and after pregnancy. Weakness and loss of tone of the abdominal wall can also occur from the rectus abdominis muscles each widening, rather than the muscles simply stretching away from each other. Rectus diastasis is NOT a hernia, and there is no medical risk to the condition. Patients can be uncomfortable from rectus diastasis due to a loss of core strength — leading to some element of back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and poor cosmetics. Rectus diastasis can be associated with small true umbilical hernias and epigastric hernias that emerge through true small tears in the linea alba.
How To Tell If You Have an Abdominal Hernia or Rectus Diastasis
If you think that you have an abdominal hernia or rectus diastasis, you should consult with a physician. That is the only way to know for sure what you have and to create a treatment plan.
Abdominal hernias and rectus diastasis can be repaired. Hernias are medical covered by insurance to limit the chance of bowel strangulation. Rectus diastasis, on the other hand, has no medical risk, and therefore is not a procedure covered by insurance plans. Mild to moderate rectus diastasis is treated with a tummy tuck. Severe rectus diastasis and most hernias are treated with meshes to provide a solid platform for healing.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Are you concerned that you may have an abdominal hernia or rectus diastasis? Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Dumanian at Northwestern Plastic Surgery. Call his Chicago office at (312) 694-2428 to set up an appointment.