Billy Joel has normal pressure hydrocephalus. What is that, and what are symptoms?
Billy Joel has canceled all his concerts due to a recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to a post on his official Instagram.
"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," the post continued. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period." Paste BN has reached out to Joel's rep for more details.
But what exactly is normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH?
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
When fluid builds up around or inside your brain and inhibits typical functioning, it results in normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This may lead to difficulties thinking and concentrating, as well as impair movement and memory. The condition may be reversible, and its symptoms could look a lot like dementia.
It mostly occurs in people older than 65 years old, and average onset is age 70; Joel is slightly older at age 76. Just 0.2% of people who are between 70 and 80 years old get NPH and 5.9% of those over 80. This translates to 8.4 million people across the world who are above age 80.
Besides age, people are more at risk if they've ever had a brain infection or head injury, underwent brain surgery or have a brain tumor, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
What are normal pressure hydrocephalus symptoms?
Symptoms for NPH are wide-ranging, but can include issues with walking and balancing, falling, confusion and memory loss, depression, moodiness and uncontrollable bladder.
Medical professionals will likely evaluate how someone walks, get scans like a CT or MRI, perform a spinal tap and otherwise perform a physical exam and monitor symptoms. It's often treated by placing a shunt in the brain to remove extra fluid.
"Implanting a shunt doesn't work for everyone, but some people do benefit from it," according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Getting prompt diagnosis and treatment helps improve your chances of a good outcome."