NPH is a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, leading to gait difficulties, bladder control issues, and cognitive impairment. These symptoms collectively suggest the disorder.
Singer Billy Joel announced the cancellation of his concerts due to NPH, stating that his condition worsened after recent performances.
While rare, the risk of NPH increases with age. Estimates suggest it may affect less than 1% of the 65-80 age group, but potentially 5% or more of those over 80.
Billy Joel has canceled his upcoming concerts because of a brain disorder affecting his hearing, vision and balance, the singer-songwriter announced on Friday.
The condition, called normal pressure hydrocephalus, or N.P.H., is estimated to affect hundreds of thousands of older Americans. Here’s what to know about it.
N.P.H. occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, causing difficulty walking, trouble controlling one’s bladder and memory problems. Those symptoms together suggest the disorder.
The bladder symptoms can include incontinence and waking up at night to urinate with increasing frequency, said Dr. Charles Matouk, a neurosurgeon at Yale University and director of the university’s Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Program.
A statement posted to Mr. Joel’s social media accounts on Friday said his condition had been “exacerbated by recent concert performances.”
N.P.H. is rare, but risk increases with age. Dr. Matouk estimated that it might affect less than 1 percent of the population ages 65 to 80, but likely 5 percent or more of people over 80.
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