Billy Joel Opens Up About Living With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Bringing Greater Awareness to the Under-Diagnosed Condition

Billy Joel recently shared an update about his health, revealing that he had undergone brain surgery following a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), bringing renewed attention to a condition that can be difficult to recognize and diagnose.

Joel first publicly disclosed his NPH diagnosis in 2025 after experiencing problems with his balance and other symptoms. In a recent update, he shared that doctors recommended a shunt procedure.

While Joel’s experience is unique to him, his story highlights an important issue for patients and families: recognizing normal pressure hydrocephalus symptoms is an essential step toward diagnosis and treatment.

What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord, accumulates within the brain's ventricles. This can cause the ventricles to enlarge and may affect how the brain functions.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a form of hydrocephalus that most commonly affects older adults. Despite its name, pressure within the brain may fluctuate and is not necessarily normal.

NPH is often associated with three key symptoms:

• Changes in walking and balance
• Changes in thinking, memory or other cognitive function
• Changes in bladder control

Not everyone experiences all three symptoms, and symptoms may develop gradually. Some can also resemble changes associated with aging or other neurological conditions, which can make NPH challenging to recognize.

How is hydrocephalus treated?

Treatment depends on the type and cause of hydrocephalus, as well as the individual patient.

For people with NPH who are appropriate candidates for treatment, physicians may consider a shunt system. A shunt is a medical device designed to divert excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another part of the body, where the fluid can be absorbed.

Shunt systems have been used to treat hydrocephalus for decades, and advances in shunt technology have given neurosurgeons additional options for managing cerebrospinal fluid drainage. The appropriate treatment and device depend on the individual patient and should be determined by a qualified healthcare professional.

A conversation worth having

Public conversations about conditions such as NPH can help increase awareness of symptoms that might otherwise be overlooked.

Joel’s decision to speak openly about his diagnosis also highlights an important message for anyone experiencing unexplained changes in balance, walking, memory or bladder function: talking with a healthcare professional can be an important first step toward understanding what may be causing those changes.

Hydrocephalus is a complex neurological condition, but greater awareness can help patients and families recognize the signs, seek appropriate evaluation and have informed conversations with their healthcare providers.

This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individual treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Learn more about hydrocephalus and treatment options: IntegraLife.com Hydrocephalus

Please Note: This article references information that has been publicly reported by Billy Joel and SiriusXM. The inclusion of such content is for educational and disease-awareness purposes only and does not imply any endorsement, sponsorship, authorization, affiliation, or partnership between Billy Joel, SiriusXM, and Integra LifeSciences.