Billy Joel has opened up about his tragic health condition following a shocking diagnosis.
In a rare interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, October 15, the Piano Man singer revealed that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) last year, which has limited some of the major activities he used to and loved to do.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus “is a condition that happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside your skull and presses on your brain, causing dementia-like symptoms,” as per Cleveland Clinic.
Joel shared, "What the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion. I have this thing called hydrocephalus. It used to be called water on the brain, so it affects your balance, it affects your memory, it affects your vision, your hearing. But I’m OK."
"They call it a brain disorder, but it’s not that serious. It’s just something that affects your balance mostly,” he added.
When asked about his current health status, the singer shared that he is in good health now, but still is not sure about when he will be back on stage, noting that he cannot perform the way he used to do.
"I have to take a series of tests before I know, but I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive. And I can’t do performances because what the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion. So they have to test me further to see if I can go back and do performing again, which I would like to be able to do,” said the 77-year-old singer.
About Billy Joel health condition
While speaking to fans on his recent SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, Billy Joel provided a big update about his Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) diagnosis, sharing 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.
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.
