Latest news with #NormalPressureHydrocephalus
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel opens up on brain disorder: 'I feel fine' but struggles with balance
Nearly two months after revealing his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus, Billy Joel offered a health update in a July 21 interview. The 76-year-old music legend appeared on comedian Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast, where he said he's doing "fine" but acknowledged lingering balance problems. "My balance sucks," Joel said. "It's like being on a boat." Normal pressure hydrocephalus, which Joel was diagnosed with in May, is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the skull and puts pressure on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It most commonly affects adults over 65 and is often treatable. In some cases, it's reversible. Joel said he initially blamed his unsteadiness on alcohol, admitting he used to drink "like a fish." Billy Joel explains his brain condition "I feel good," he said. "They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling." When Maher asked whether the issue had been resolved, Joel replied, "It's not fixed. It's still being worked on." On May 23, a statement about his diagnosis was posted to his official social media accounts. "This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," the statement read. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period." Billy Joel has personal and professional South Florida ties Joel canceled all upcoming concerts, including a sprawling tour originally set to stretch through next year. He was due at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood on Nov. 1. Joel has long had ties to South Florida, where he's owned multiple homes and spent time offstage enjoying the sunshine. He's performed regularly in the region, often selling out arenas in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Area residents might even spot him boating or dining around town — he's no stranger to the coastal lifestyle. In October 2024, Joel sold his ocean-to-lake estate in the small, wealthy town of Manalapan for $42.6 million. This summer, Joel was set to share the stage with fellow 1970s rock legends Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart. The two co-headlining concerts, scheduled for July 5 in Pittsburgh and July 18 in the Bronx, would have featured Joel and Stewart performing together, including a rendition of the Faces classic "Stay with Me." Additionally, four shows with Nicks were planned for August through November in New Jersey, California, Louisiana and Michigan. MORE: Famous people, celebrities, GOATS: They live or lived in Palm Beach County Since his diagnosis, HBO released the first installment of "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" on July 18. The second part due to air on July 25. Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@ and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Billy Joel documentary: 'I feel fine', despite ongoing brain condition Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Billy Joel shares first health update after brain disorder diagnosis: ‘I feel fine'
Billy Joel has disclosed he was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) in May, a brain disorder that led to the cancellation of his upcoming performances and tour dates. The 76-year-old music icon discussed his condition for the first time in an interview with Bill Maher, stating that while doctors are still 'working on it', he feels 'fine' despite his balance being affected. Joel described the condition, previously known as 'water on the brain', as making him feel 'like a boat', though he reiterated he feels 'good' despite the serious-sounding diagnosis. NPH is a rare condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid, primarily affecting people over 60, and can lead to neurological symptoms including problems with walking, hearing, vision, and balance. A statement from May confirmed Joel is undergoing physical therapy and is committed to prioritizing his health, with hopes to return to the stage in the future.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab Times
'Piano Man' dismisses health fears: 'I'm not deathly ill'
NEW YORK, July 22, (AP): Bill Joel is doing much better, the 'Piano Man' singer wants fans to know. In May, Joel canceled all his upcoming concerts across North America and England after being diagnosed with fluid buildup in his brain that has affected his 'hearing, vision, and balance.' The condition is called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, 'a brain disorder that can affect brain-related abilities, including thinking and concentrating, memory, movement, and more,' the Cleveland Clinic says. 'I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I'm OK,' Joel said in an interview with People magazine. 'What I have is something very few people know about, including me, no matter how much you try to research it. I'm doing my best to work with it and to recover from it.' 'It was scary, but I'm OK,' Joel, 76, says. 'I just wanted to let people know, don't worry about me being deathly ill or anything.' He also discussed his health in an episode of comedian Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, telling the host he feels 'fine,' adding that, 'My balance sucks. It's like being on a boat... They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling.' He added that his health issues are not 'fixed,' but 'it's still being worked on.' A representative for Joel declined additional comment. In March, the 'Uptown Girl' singer announced that he underwent surgery and had to undergo physical therapy. A statement at the time said doctors expected him to make a full recovery. It is unclear if his medical issues at the time were related to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The condition can cause problems with walking, bladder control and thinking, with symptoms worsening if left untreated. It's relatively rare and can be hard to diagnose. It can be treated successfully with surgery to install a tube to drain excess fluid. Patients may need physical therapy in addition to surgery.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel feels 'good' after brain disorder diagnosis
Billy Joel says he is feeling "good", two months on from announcing his diagnosis with rare brain condition Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). Speaking on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, the five-time Grammy winner said his condition was "still being worked on", and he was struggling with his balance. "I feel good, they keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling," said the singer-songwriter. Joel was forced to cancel a series of concert dates in May this year, after his doctors told him that his condition had been "exacerbated by recent performances". NPH is described by the NHS as an uncommon and poorly understood condition that most often affects people over the age of 60. The condition causes a build-up of fluid in the brain, which can affect hearing, vision and mobility. In the original statement shared on the 76-year-old singer's Instagram, Joel was said to be undergoing "specific" physical therapy for his condition, and that he was "fully committed to prioritising his health". His wife, Alexis Joel, wrote in a separate post that the family were "grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received", and that they were hopeful for a swift recovery. Joel called off 17 planned performances in North America and Europe across 2025 and 2026, including stadium shows at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Anfield in Liverpool. Joel, who's known for hits including Uptown Girl and Piano Man, has regularly been on tour in recent years. He ended a record-breaking decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden in New York last year. His final performance was in February 2025, when he fell on his back during his performance after throwing a microphone stand into the crowd. He announced a postponement of his tour shortly afterwards, citing a medical condition that required him to undergo physical therapy as part of his recovery from a recent surgery. Billy Joel catches train to Cardiff for sell-out gig
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Billy Joel shares first health update after brain disorder diagnosis: 'I feel fine'
Billy Joel has disclosed he was diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) in May, a brain disorder that led to the cancellation of his upcoming performances and tour dates. The 76-year-old music icon discussed his condition for the first time in an interview with Bill Maher, stating that while doctors are still 'working on it', he feels 'fine' despite his balance being affected. Joel described the condition, previously known as 'water on the brain', as making him feel 'like a boat', though he reiterated he feels 'good' despite the serious-sounding diagnosis. NPH is a rare condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid, primarily affecting people over 60, and can lead to neurological symptoms including problems with walking, hearing, vision, and balance. A statement from May confirmed Joel is undergoing physical therapy and is committed to prioritizing his health, with hopes to return to the stage in the future.
