Latest news with #health update
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Billy Joel, 76, breaks silence on his brain disorder and how it forced him to step back from music
Billy Joel gave an emotional update on his health amid his battle with the brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). He revealed his diagnosis in May, and announced the cancellation of his forthcoming concerts following recent onstage struggles. The condition's impacted the 76-year-old's 'hearing, vision, and balance', and he opened up about his condition on Monday's Club Random With Bill Maher podcast, where he said: 'I feel fine. My balance sucks. It's like being a boat.' Joel said doctors could not identify the cause of the condition, and said: 'They don't know… I thought it must be from drinking.' Over the years, Joel's been open about his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as his battles with mental health, which at one point led to a suicide attempt amid career pressures. He said: '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.' According to Mayo Clinic: 'Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the brain, enlarging the ventricles and puts pressure on brain tissue, potentially causing damage and neurological symptoms.' Joel underwent targeted physical therapy as prescribed by his doctor and was 'advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period'. When diagnosed early, NPH could be effectively treated with surgery to drain excess fluid from the brain to relieve pressure and the symptoms. However, if left untreated, the condition could cause permanent damage later on. The musical legend also expressed his gratitude for the care he had received and thanked fans for their continued support. Joel said on Instagram: 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.' A statement added: 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.' Opening up: The singer used Instagram to share details of his diagnosis The post added: 'He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.' The new health update was after Joel previously postponed his tour by only four months 'due to a medical condition'. A statement on Instagram on March 11 revealed the tour had been halted after Joel underwent a recent surgery: 'The current tour will be postponed for four months to allow him to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors. 'Joel is expected to make a full recovery.' The star posted: 'While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding.' Multiple fans speculated if his medical issues were connected to a recent fall on stage. In late February, Joel suffered a nasty fall during a gig at the Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut, which sparked major fear amongst fans. Footage from the show captured the Grammy-winner as he spun a mic stand before he hurled it across the stage - only to suddenly topple over moments later. Photos and clips of the fall captured Joel as he appeared to stumble before hitting the stage hard on his side, then rolling on to his back. Joel was helped up and managed to carry on with the rest of the show.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Billy Joel, 76, breaks silence on brain disorder battle which forced him to step back from singing career
Billy Joel has given an emotional update on his health amid his battle with brain disorder, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In May, music icon Joel, 76, revealed his diagnosis and announced the cancellation of his upcoming concerts, following recent onstage struggles. The condition has impacted Joel's 'hearing, vision, and balance,' with the Uptown Girl hitmaker opening up about his condition on Monday's Bill Maher's Club Random podcast. He said: 'I feel fine. My balance sucks. It's like being a boat.' Joel said doctors cannot identify the cause of the condition, adding: 'They don't know… I thought it must be from drinking.' Over the years, Joel has been open about his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as his battles with mental health, which at one point led to a suicide attempt amid career pressures. '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' he said. 'Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the brain, enlarging the ventricles and puts pressure on brain tissue, potentially causing damage and neurological symptoms,' per Mayo Clinic. Joel is currently undergoing targeted physical therapy as prescribed by his doctor and has been 'advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.' When diagnosed early, NPH can often be effectively treated with surgery that drains excess fluid from the brain, relieving pressure and symptoms. However, if left untreated, the condition may lead to permanent damage in its later stages. The legendary musician also expressed his gratitude for the care he's receiving and thanked fans for their continued support. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' Joel wrote on Instagram. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,' the statement added. The condition has impacted Joel's 'hearing, vision, and balance,' with the Uptown Girls hitmaker opening up about his condition on Monday's Bill Maher's Club Random podcast (seen in July 2024) It continued, 'He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.' Fans won't need to take any steps to receive a refund—payments will be automatically returned to the original form of purchase. Canceled dates include his summer show in New York City, along with stops in New Orleans, Toronto, Santa Clara, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., and Liverpool. The new health update comes after Joel previously postponed his tour by only four months 'due to a medical condition.' A statement posted to his Instagram on March 11 revealed the tour has been halted after the Uptown Girl singer underwent a recent surgery. 'The current tour will be postponed for four months to allow him to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors. Joel is expected to make a full recovery. The tour will resume at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on July 5, 2025,' the post read. 'While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding,' Joel said in the statement at the time. Multiple fans also speculated if his medical issues were connected to his recent fall on stage. In late February, Joel suffered a nasty fall on stage during a gig at the Mohegan Sun resort in Monteville, Connecticut, sparking major fear amongst fans. Footage from the show captures the Grammy winner spinning a microphone stand before hurling it across the stage—only to suddenly topple over moments later. The musician was helped up by his band managed to carry on with the rest of the show and sang one more song for his fans. Photos of the unsettling fall capture Joel—dressed in an all-black suit and dress shoes—appearing to stumble before hitting the stage hard on his side, then rolling onto his back. And the songwriter has never been one to shy away from discussing the realities of aging. In a conversation with BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball, he was asked whether he maintains a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. His candid response? 'None of the above. I don't think I look all that good. But I don't look in the mirror that often, which helps a lot. There's a saying, "things don't look half bad with one eye closed."' Billy's illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971). But it failed to gain any real traction until after the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), that peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart. Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the release of The Stranger (1977), which featured the hit singles Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Just The Way You Are, She's Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young. He would go on to release a 13th album - Fantasies & Delusions (2001) - that features classical compositions from Joel, a first for him during his career. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Billy Joel is one of the world's best-selling musical artists, and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel Shares Health Update After Brain Disorder Diagnosis: ‘My Balance Sucks,' but ‘I Feel Fine'
Billy Joel shared an update on his brain disorder diagnosis, a heath issue that led him to cancel all his upcoming concerts back in May. 'I feel fine,' Joel told Bill Maher on the comedian and writer's podcast 'Club Random with Bill Maher.' 'My balance sucks. It's like being on a boat.' More from TheWrap Billy Joel Shares Health Update After Brain Disorder Diagnosis: 'My Balance Sucks,' but 'I Feel Fine' | Video Nearly Three-Quarters of Podcast Audiences Play the Video, Too, for Some Reason James Gunn Says It Was 'Terrible' Telling Henry Cavill He Was Recasting Superman: 'It Was Really Unfair to Him' | Video Pete Buttigieg Makes Surprisingly Cheeky Barstool Sports Appearance to Present 'Lib of the Year' Award When Maher asked why, Joel explained that his condition, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, used to be called 'water on the brain' – and added that 'nobody knows' what causes it. Nevertheless, Joel says: '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,' Joel added. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, which can cause difficulty with walking, cognitive decline and urinary incontinence, is a treatable but not curable medical condition that's described as a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, per the Cleveland Clinic. On May 23, Joel canceled all his upcoming concerts, sharing in a statement that the disorder has led to issues with hearing, balance and vision. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Billy Joel (@billyjoel) 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,' the statement read. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.'The post Billy Joel Shares Health Update After Brain Disorder Diagnosis: 'My Balance Sucks,' but 'I Feel Fine' | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Billy Joel, 76, breaks silence on brain disorder battle which forced him to step back from singing career
Billy Joel has given an emotional update on his health amid his battle with brain disorder, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In May, music icon Joel, 76, revealed his diagnosis and announced the cancellation of his upcoming concerts, following recent onstage struggles. The condition has impacted Joel's 'hearing, vision, and balance,' with the Uptown Girl hitmaker opening up about his condition on Monday's Bill Maher's Club Random podcast. He said: 'I feel fine. My balance sucks. It's like being a boat.' Joel said doctors cannot identify the cause of the condition, adding: 'They don't know… I thought it must be from drinking.' Over the years, Joel has been open about his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as his battles with mental health, which at one point led to a suicide attempt amid career pressures. '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' he said. 'Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the brain, enlarging the ventricles and puts pressure on brain tissue, potentially causing damage and neurological symptoms,' per Mayo Clinic. Joel is currently undergoing targeted physical therapy as prescribed by his doctor and has been 'advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.' When diagnosed early, NPH can often be effectively treated with surgery that drains excess fluid from the brain, relieving pressure and symptoms. However, if left untreated, the condition may lead to permanent damage in its later stages. The legendary musician also expressed his gratitude for the care he's receiving and thanked fans for their continued support. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' Joel wrote on Instagram. 'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,' the statement added. It continued, 'He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.' Fans won't need to take any steps to receive a refund—payments will be automatically returned to the original form of purchase. Canceled dates include his summer show in New York City, along with stops in New Orleans, Toronto, Santa Clara, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., and Liverpool. The new health update comes after Joel previously postponed his tour by only four months 'due to a medical condition.' A statement posted to his Instagram on March 11 revealed the tour has been halted after the Uptown Girl singer underwent a recent surgery. 'The current tour will be postponed for four months to allow him to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors. Joel is expected to make a full recovery. The tour will resume at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on July 5, 2025,' the post read. 'While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding,' Joel said in the statement at the time. Multiple fans also speculated if his medical issues were connected to his recent fall on stage. In late February, Joel suffered a nasty fall on stage during a gig at the Mohegan Sun resort in Monteville, Connecticut, sparking major fear amongst fans. Footage from the show captures the Grammy winner spinning a microphone stand before hurling it across the stage—only to suddenly topple over moments later. The musician was helped up by his band managed to carry on with the rest of the show and sang one more song for his fans. Photos of the unsettling fall capture Joel—dressed in an all-black suit and dress shoes—appearing to stumble before hitting the stage hard on his side, then rolling onto his back. And the songwriter has never been one to shy away from discussing the realities of aging. In a conversation with BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball, he was asked whether he maintains a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. His candid response? 'None of the above. I don't think I look all that good. But I don't look in the mirror that often, which helps a lot. There's a saying, "things don't look half bad with one eye closed."' Reflecting on what he's most proud of, the legendary musician summed it up simply: 'My ability to move on with life. I've had difficulties in my life, but it never stopped me from continuing. Troubles with business didn't stop me from doing business. I have no bitterness about anything, even people who rip me off, I let it go. I'm content with that. I'm happy. I'm having a happy ending.' Billy's illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971). But it failed to gain any real traction until after the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), that peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart. Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the release of The Stranger (1977), which featured the hit singles Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Just The Way You Are, She's Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young. He would go on to release a 13th album - Fantasies & Delusions (2001) - that features classical compositions from Joel, a first for him during his career. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Billy Joel is one of the world's best-selling musical artists, and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Brian Nolan, 70, reveals he is given the all-clear amid his prostate cancer battle as his sister Coleen pays tribute - months after their sibling Linda's death from the disease
Brian Nolan has revealed that he was given the all-clear amid his prostate cancer battle just months after his sister's Linda's death from the disease. Brian, 70, was diagnosed with stage two prostate cancer just three days after his sister Linda Nolan died on January 15, 2025, following a 20-year breast cancer battle. He became the fifth of the Nolan siblings to battle the disease, and he shared during an appearance on Loose Women that he was given the all-clear in a positive update. Brian underwent surgery for the cancer, which involved doctors removing his prostate gland, and he gave fans his health update during a live TV appearance on Tuesday. 'There have been developments. I'll start at the beginning. So I had the operation, it's called a RALP, which means it's a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy,' he explained. 'To make a long story short, my cancer was in the prostate gland, so they offered me a radical operation, which drew the whole cancer out. 'I was basically in the hospital for 18 hours and I got the all clear last Tuesday that the cancer is completely gone and my bloods are back to normal.' His sister Coleen, 60, appeared on the Loose Women panel alongside him as he shared the news and she has now praised his strength for speaking on live TV about his health. 'I'm so proud of him, because, since being diagnosed, he's done so much to raise awareness of the condition,' she wrote in her Mirror column. 'Brian, I'm in awe of you and so impressed that you can go on live telly and talk so calmly and eloquently about this important subject.' Brian initially went to his doctor after noticing he was needing to use the toilet a lot more, which started affecting his sleep and day-to-day life. After blood tests he was told his PSA levels had risen, and he was then sent for an MRI scan before being told that they had found something. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), are a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer, with higher levels potentially indicating prostate problems, though not necessarily cancer. Brian initially kept his diagnosis a secret from his sisters because they were grieving the loss of their sibling Linda. Bernie Nolan, the second youngest of the family and lead vocalist in the Nolans group, died in 2013 at just 52 years old after battling breast cancer (pictured with Coleen in 2011) Amid his own struggles, he spent 28 hours sitting by Linda's bedside in her final days. Appearing on Loose Women in March, Coleen shared: 'He went through all of this, none of us knew, at the same time organising everything for Linda. 'Brian and Annie took control of the whole thing. At not one moment did I think something was up with Brian.' While Brian added: 'It was a conscious decision, we'd been through too much with Linda and Bernadette. 'We've been through so much with cancer. I left it three or four days and I told you [his siblings] all individually.' Brian described his diagnosis as 'like being hit by a train' and said he thought the worst when he was first diagnosed. 'I just want cancer to leave us alone,' Brian heartbreakingly told The Mirror. 'You start plunging into the abyss of: ''I'm going to die''.' Brian's sisters have a history of cancer, with Coleen and Anne both receiving diagnoses as well as Bernie and Linda passing away from the disease. Bernie Nolan, the second youngest of the family and lead vocalist in the Nolans group, tragically died in 2013 at just 52 years old after battling breast cancer. Linda was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006 - but in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020. Three years later, she shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered on the left side of her brain which left her struggling with her speech and balance. Linda tragically passed away on January 15, 2025, aged 65 following a 20-year breast cancer battle and suffering from double pneumonia. Anne, 74, was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and Coleen was told she had skin cancer in 2023. WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? How many people does it kill? More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer. It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year. Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind. How many men are diagnosed annually? Every year, upwards of 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK - more than 140 every day. How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages. But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms. Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction. Tests and treatment Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate. Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment. Men over 50 are eligible for a 'PSA' blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk. But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not fool-proof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks.
