Billy Joel Cancels Shows Due to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Understanding the Condition

Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of his forthcoming concerts due to a neurological condition that has impaired his hearing, vision, and balance.

This disorder, called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), affects an estimated hundreds of thousands of elderly individuals in the United States. Below is an explanation of its key characteristics.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus arises when cerebrospinal fluid accumulates excessively within the brain’s ventricles, leading to difficulties with walking, balance, and bladder control, along with potential memory impairment.

Bladder-related symptoms can range from incontinence to frequent nighttime urination.

A message shared on the singer’s social media last Friday indicated that his condition had worsened following recent performances.

Though NPH is relatively uncommon, the risk rises with advancing age. Experts estimate that under 1 percent of individuals between 65 and 80 years old develop it, but the incidence may exceed 5 percent in those over 80.