Singer Billy Joel, 76, has canceled all his concerts due to a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition involving the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. The condition has led to symptoms such as hearing, vision, and balance issues, prompting medical advice for physical therapy and a recovery period.
Following his diagnosis of a brain condition, singer Billy Joel has canceled all scheduled concerts. The five-time Grammy winner announced that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside or around the brain. The announcement on Joel’s website said that the condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance. Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.
Hydrocephalus is a general term describing the buildup of excess fluid in the brain. Matthew Potts, M.D., a Northwestern Medicine neurosurgeon, explained that the fluid, known as cerebrospinal fluid, is constantly produced in fluid-filled spaces in the center of the brain called ventricles. It flows through the ventricles and then around the surface of the brain and spinal cord, where it is then reabsorbed. Hydrocephalus can happen for a variety of reasons, including infection, trauma to the brain or bleeding within the brain.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a version of the condition typically seen in older people, where the cerebrospinal fluid builds up without increasing the pressure in the brain. Despite the fact that pressure remains normal, NPH can impact brain function, particularly the areas of thinking, memory, movement and focus, according to Cleveland Clinic. The three main effects of NPH are gait issues, urinary incontinence and cognitive difficulties. Collectively, these symptoms are known as