Insight into Billy Joel’s condition
June 18
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, also known as NPH. While sharing the news of his diagnosis, Joel also announced he would be canceling his upcoming tour.
NPH is a rare type of dementia occurring when excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up on the brain and is most common in individuals over the age of 65. It can be treated by placing a shunt in the brain to drain the excess fluid.
As the symptoms of NPH often mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, NPH is often misdiagnosed.
Dr. Frank LoVecchio, Medical Director of Clinical Research at the College of Health Solutions at ASU and an emergency medicine physician at Valleywise Health, joined “Arizona Horizon” to share more insight on Joel’s condition.
According to Dr. LoVecchio, some risk factors include “Getting older and having had prior neurological problems such as… Brain tumors or strokes or blood removed from your brain.”
According to LoVecchio, “he is stable and wants to tour again because that’s his passion.”
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