Diastasis Recti: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Diastasis Recti is the separation that occurs between the left and right side of the abdominis muscle of the rectus. This muscle actually covers the belly area's front surface.

Causes:

-This problem is quite common in newborns. It is seen more often in premature babies and African American infants.

-Pregnant women could develop this condition because of the increased tension on abdominal walls. Added, the risk is higher if there are multiple births or in the case of many pregnancies.

-If women who are more than 12 week pregnant exercise, they stress their abdomens. This could worsen the situation.

-The abdominal trauma with diastasis could cause connective tissues to wear and tear away from abdominal walls and lead to ventral hernia.

Symptoms:

-The diastasis recti will look like a ridge that will run down from the middle of tummy area. This will stretch from the bottom of the breastbones to the belly button. This increases the strain on the muscles.

-In most of the infants, this condition can be easily noticed when he or she tries to sit. When this infant is relaxing, you can feel the edges of the muscles on the rectus.

-Women who have had multiple pregnancies could face this problem as their muscles would have been stretched a lot of times. The soft tissues and the extra skin in the front of abdominal walls might be the only symptom of this problem in the early pregnancies. In the later pregnancies, the uterus of the pregnant lady may be seen as bulging out from the abdominal walls. Even the unborn baby's full outline may be seen.

-Women may notice poor posture, back pain, problems with the pelvic floor, disturbances in their intestines like constipation, bloating etc.

-If the new born baby develops some kind of redness or gets pain in the abdomen, then it could be a symptom.

-Also, if the baby keeps vomiting without stopping, then it will be good to take him to the doctor immediately.

-Another symptom is if the baby keeps crying without reason.

Treatment:

When one visits the doctor, the doctor would be able to diagnose this by doing a physical exam.

-For pregnant ladies who face this condition, no treatment is required.

-For infants, the rectus abdominis muscles might continue. It could also disappear after some time. Surgery may be required if the baby develops a hernia, which can become trapped in the spaces between muscles.

-The diastasis recti that are related with pregnancy could even last long after the delivery. Exercises might be required for improving this condition. Some people might see an umbilical hernia as well. If there is pain, surgery could be required.

-If there are complications related to the hernia, then surgery may be the only option.

Whatever be the cause or the symptom, it is important to show it to the doctor and get treated immediately. In particular, this is imperative, when it involves a newborn baby who can't even express and explain his problems.