Normal pressure hydrocephalus: Billy Joel has been diagnosed with rare brain condition, how serious is it?

Billy Joel, the iconic “Piano Man,” recently shared some difficult news with fans. At 76, he’s been diagnosed with something called normal pressure hydrocephalus — or NPH for short — a rare brain condition that’s serious enough that he’s had to cancel all his tour dates through July 2026. The news came after a scary moment earlier this year when he took a fall during a concert in Connecticut. That incident had a lot of people worried, and now we know why.

What is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
NPH happens when fluid (called cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) builds up in the brain’s ventricles. These are spaces inside your brain, and when too much fluid collects there, it causes the ventricles to swell. That swelling puts pressure on the brain — even though, strangely enough, the pressure levels seem "normal" when measured, which is how the condition got its name.

What’s tricky about NPH is that its symptoms can look a lot like normal aging, or even mimic other brain conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. That’s why it often flies under the radar.

The classic signs of NPH include:

• Walking problems — People often describe it as a weird, shuffling walk, like your feet are glued to the floor.
• Cognitive issues — This might look like memory trouble, trouble focusing, or just general mental fog.
• Bladder control problems — As the condition progresses, some folks start losing control over their bladder.

Billy Joel’s situation
In Joel’s case, things started to become a real issue after he fell on stage back in February. At first, he cited general recovery for the show cancellations, but it’s since been confirmed that NPH was the root cause. The condition has affected his balance, vision, and even his hearing. That’s a lot for anyone to handle — especially someone used to performing under bright lights in front of thousands of fans.

Doctors told him it was time to take a step back from the stage and focus on recovery. So, all 17 of his scheduled shows — including big ones with artists like Rod Stewart, Sting, and Stevie Nicks — have been called off. Fans who already bought tickets are getting full refunds, so no one’s left in the lurch.

Can it be treated?
There is a treatment for NPH. The go-to fix is surgery to place a shunt in the brain. This little device helps drain the extra fluid from the brain and redirect it to another part of the body, usually the belly area, where it can be safely absorbed. If caught early, this procedure can really help with symptoms and slow the condition down.

Right now, Billy is going through physical therapy and staying hopeful. He’s said he’s incredibly grateful for all the love and support his fans have shown him. It’s clear he’s determined to get better.

Why awareness matters
One of the big issues with NPH is how rarely it’s diagnosed correctly. Some reports suggest that fewer than 1 in 5 people with the condition ever get the right diagnosis. That’s partly because it can look so much like other, more common conditions. But if it’s caught in time, it can often be treated pretty effectively.

Billy Joel being open about his condition could actually help a lot of people. His story might lead more folks to get checked out — especially if they or a loved one have similar symptoms and just assumed it was part of getting older.