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Billy Joel Brain Disorder: Billy Joel, 76, the popular recording artiste and old school singer/songwriter who can tell a story with a song, has said he has normal pressure hydrocephalus, which has led to “problems with hearing, vision and balance”. For the duration of his recovery, he announced, he is cancelling all the planned concerts.

The highly successful American singer-songwriter, pianist, and entertainer loved for his strong, clear and melodic voice has a fan following across all age groups. The artist with 23 Grammy nominations has popular hits like Uptown Girl, We didn’t start the fire, River of dreams under his belt.

But the Everyman singer-songwriter has now cancelled all of his upcoming concerts, including a large-scale tour scheduled for this year and next, because of a brain disorder known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, he announced on Friday.

"Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,” his social media accounts said in a statement on Friday. “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for your understanding,” it quoted Joel as saying.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Billy Joel (@billyjoel)

What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or NPH?

Cleveland Clinic literature says normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition that happens when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside your skull and presses on your brain. According to a report in the New York Times, in this rare condition of CSF build-up, one experiences symptoms that include trouble walking and controlling one’s bladder. It can also lead to cognitive impairment, including memory problems.

Speaking to ABP Live, Dr Sanjay Pandey, Head, Neurology, at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, highlighted the onset of the classic triad of symptoms that include gait disturbance, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline. "Patients of NPH often present with symptoms of slowness, walking difficulty, and urinary incontinence and mimic other neurodegenerative disorders — particularly atypical parkinsonism such as Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP) and Alzheimer's disease — making accurate diagnosis crucial. Misdiagnosis is common, which delays effective treatment,” he said. 

Speaking about Billy Joel’s recent diagnosis of NPH, Dr Pandey said the singer’s announcement sheds much-needed light on a neurological condition that remains underdiagnosed despite being treatable. Commending Billy Joel for raising awareness about this often-misunderstood condition, he wished him strength and a speedy recovery. “Public figures like Mr. Joel speaking openly about such diagnoses will help remove stigma and encourage timely neurological consultations.” 

Early Diagnosis And Treatment Are Important

Reports say that if the disease is diagnosed early enough, it can be treated successfully through surgery that creates a path for the fluid to flow out of the brain, alleviating symptoms. But in later stages, some of its effects can become irreversible.

Dr Charles Matouk, a neurosurgeon at Yale University and director of the Yale Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Program, told NYT that NPH often gets underdiagnosed probably because its symptoms can be dismissed as normal effects of ageing. He urged people not to make that assumption, and to see a doctor if they experienced gait, bladder and cognitive problems.

"In Mr. Joel’s case, his reported issues with hearing, vision, and balance following recent performances likely reflect the neurological burden of NPH exacerbated by physical and environmental stress. His decision to cancel concerts and focus on treatment is both wise and necessary,” said Dr Sanjay Pandey.

He also highlighted that NPH is one of the few potentially reversible causes of dementia and mobility decline.

How Is NPH Treated?

"With early recognition and timely intervention — such as cerebrospinal fluid drainage or a ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt — many patients experience marked improvement in mobility and cognition… we emphasise thorough neurological evaluation using imaging and clinical assessments to distinguish NPH from other neurodegenerative disorders,” said Dr Pandey.

Can You Reduce Risk of NPH?

According to Cleveland Clinic, while idiopathic NPH (with no known cause) can't be prevented, you can lower your risk of secondary NPH by:

• Treating infections promptly, especially ear and eye infections, to prevent them from spreading to the brain.
• Wearing safety gear like helmets to avoid head injuries that may lead to NPH.
• Managing health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol to reduce risks of brain bleeds or aneurysms.

Kirti Pandey is a senior independent journalist.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]