### instruction:
If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patient's description.

### input:
Years ago I felt a kind of tear (felt like a zipper being unzipped up my abdomen ) when I was reaching over my head to grab something. Not full blown hernia but was told it was a pre-hernia. I now have a bulge when I do sit-ups but not otherwise though I often have an ache in the area. When I have to push hard during a bowel movement I also feel like something is trying to push out through my belly button but it goes away after bowel movement is done. I ve been told that I have to wait for it to finally rip and push through before anything can be done. Is this true? are there exercises or other things I can do to help prevent this? Should it be affecting my ability to perform sexually? I am 46 yr old, Caucasian male, 6 1 , 255 lbs, w/ good health history otherwise other than elevated blood pressure and cholesterol . I work as a corrections officer and wear a duty belt if that is relevant.

### output:

Hello, pirate, From your description, it appears you have a gap between two portions of the abdominal muscle called the Rectus muscle. What is happening is, you have developed a condition called"Variation Recto" which is a kind of hernia that gets aggravated with any activitivity that increases intro abdominal pressure, like heavy coughing, sneezing or lifting weights, or build up of intestinal gas. An abdominal binder (Velcro) will be helpful when you do any exercises such as weight lifting or push-ups. In some cases, if the bulging from internal organs get stuck, that could create a problem and that is an indication for surgery. They can do a mesh repair. Sexual activity, again can make the hernia worse. But the abdominal binder should help. Hope this helps. I wish you well.