Those that are familiar with diastasis recti often identify it as an issue that women commonly experience post-pregnancy.
But did you know that it can also present in men and that heavy-weight body builders and professional athletes are the most prone to abdominal muscle separation?
In fact, diastasis recti in men is more prevalent than you may assume and is frequently misdiagnosed despite causing cosmetic and functional issues.
Keep reading to learn more about this condition, including the causes and symptoms of diastasis recti in men.
What Is Diastasis Recti?
Diastasis recti occurs when excess pressure in exerted on abdominal muscles, it can cause them to separate and allow contents to protrude through the abdominal wall.
It’s also associated with a stretching and thinning of the connective tissue that binds the vertical muscles on each side of your belly button, known as abdominis recti.
What Causes Diastasis Recti in Men?
Diastasis recti in men develops gradually over time and is often misdiagnosed as a beer belly or weight gain.
While it’s usually caused by pregnancy in women, researchers have identified four causes of the condition in male patients.
To most common contributing factor is improper exercise and weight-lifting, especially when it comes to sit-ups, crunches, push-ups, and front planks.
In addition, excess weight and obesity can also place undue stress on abdominal muscles and cause them to separate and weaken. It’s important to note that this can be caused my muscle or adipose tissue and that’s why it’s commonly seen in heavy-weight bodybuilders.
Family history is another reason that men may encounter diastasis recti, and if their father or grandfather had it, then they are more susceptible to it as well.
Finally, age and certain medical conditions such as cirrhoisis of the liver and abdominal wall cancer may be other culprits of diastasis recti in men.
What Are the Associated Symptoms?
The hallmark sign of diastais recti in men is a vertical bulge that appears between abdominal walls when men do a crunch or get up from lying or sitting down.
Other symptoms that may be less distinguishable, but can signal abdominal separation include:
Constipation, lower back pain, urinary incontinence, difficulty breathing, discomfort in body movements, and a weakened core.
For additional information on the causes and symptoms of diastasis recti in men, please call DC Derm Docs today to schedule a consultation.
