Billy Joel has shared a major health update following his shocking diagnosis.
While speaking to fans on his SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, the Piano Man star provided a big update about his Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) diagnosis, more than a year after being diagnosed with the condition.
For those unfamiliar, NPH is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s cavities (ventricles), causing them to enlarge and press on nearby tissues.
On the show, the 77-year-old revealed that he underwent a tough procedure to treat the disorder.
After falling during a concert last year in March, Joel shared that he first noticed his balance “was not good,” prompting him to reach out to a doctor, who diagnosed him with NPH.
He then began receiving physical therapy for the issue before medical experts recommended him to undergo a shunt procedure, a surgery in which a shunt (a hollow tube) is placed in the brain that drains built-up fluid from the brain to another part of the body, helping relieve pressure.
“I said, ‘Well, what does that entail?’ ‘Well, we drill a hole through your skull and we stick a shunt inside your brain.’ I said, ‘Nah, I think I’ll pass on that.’ I didn’t want to do that, but then I read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory. You know, I don’t want to lose my marbles,” shared the American singer.
He continued, “It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt. I had a surgery and they implanted a shunt in my brain — and it actually improved things.”
Following the surgery, Joel revealed that his memory, balance, and ability to function had improved. However, he had to take a step back from work due to recovery.
“The doctors told me this: because of my job, which is playing rock and roll music very loud, that it was giving me something like a concussion every time I did a show. It was causing damage to my brain nerves and I could be losing more brain cells the more shows I did and I realized that means I shouldn’t be doing this right now. I got to improve,” the Honesty crooner said.
Joel concluded, “They don’t want me to stress too much, so I’m doing physical therapy. I’m doing whatever it is they tell me to do because I don’t want to lose it, you know? So, I’m always testing myself. I know people have heard, ‘Oh, he’s got a brain disorder,’ and I’m okay. I just want people to know, don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. I’m still here.”
Who is Billy Joel?
William Martin Joel, professionally known as Billy Joel, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist.
With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Joel is one of the world's best-selling music artists and is the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
