Hi ! Good evening. I am Dr Shareef answering your query. Muscle fascia laxity is otherwise known as diverication of recti which is not infrequently seen in obese persons, post delivery ladies, and emaciated persons. This is not a hernia, but clinically feels like one. The pain in the upper abdomen could be due to the hernia, or due to many other causes like a gall stone disease, peptic ulcer disease, etc. If I were your doctor, I would have advised you for an ultrasound abdomen to rule out few intra abdominal conditions. Till then, you can go for a proton pump inhibitor drug, a liquid antacid. Avoid alcoholic beverages, and smoking. Further management would depend on the report of the ultrasound. I hope this information would help you in discussing with your family physician/treating doctor in further management of your problem. Please do not hesitate to ask in case of any further doubts. Thanks for choosing health care magic to clear doubts on your health problems. Wishing you an early recovery. Dr Shareef.