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Billy Joel wants to assure his fans that his health is not a major concern following a recent diagnosis of a brain disorder that forced him to take a break from his music career.
The famous singer, known for hits like “Uptown Girl,” disclosed his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in May. The condition affects his vision, hearing, and balance, as stated in a social media post by Joel.
Despite the challenging diagnosis, the 76-year-old musician is determined to manage the brain condition effectively.
Billy Joel breaks his silence on the brain disorder diagnosis that paused his touring career. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
“I know many people are concerned about my health, but I want to reassure everyone that I’m doing fine,” Joel shared with People magazine. “What I have is quite rare, even to me, despite my efforts to research it. I’m doing my best to cope with it and recover.”
While acknowledging the distressing nature of the diagnosis, Joel urged fans not to worry about his well-being.
“It was frightening, but I’m alright,” he mentioned. “I just wanted to reassure people that I’m not critically ill or anything.”
BILLY JOEL’S WIFE REMAINS ‘HOPEFUL’ AS LEGENDARY MUSICIAN BATTLES BRAIN DISORDER
“It was scary, but I’m okay,” he said. “I just wanted to let people know, don’t worry about me being deathly ill or anything.”
During a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Joel highlighted that his balance has been the most impacted by the diagnosis.
“I feel fine. My balance sucks. It’s like being a boat,” he expressed to the former stand-up comedian. He also mentioned that the cause of NPH is poorly understood by doctors.
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Joel disclosed his NPH diagnosis in May. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“They don’t know … I thought it must be from drinking,” he shared with Maher. “I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”
Joel announced his NPH diagnosis in May, mentioning that the condition was worsened by recent concert performances, leading to issues with hearing, vision, and balance.
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Billy Joel’s wife Alexis is optimistic about her husband’s recovery following the brain disorder diagnosis. (Mireya Acierto/Getty Images for The Everglades Foundation)
The statement released at the time stated, “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.”
NPH is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid accumulates inside the skull and applies pressure on the brain. This condition is more common in individuals over 65 years of age. Treatment typically involves surgery to insert a shunt to drain excess fluid from the skull, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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Joel canceled all his tour dates earlier this year to focus on recovery from a recent surgery and undergo physical therapy as per his doctors’ guidance.
The “We Didn’t Start the Fire” artist tied the knot with his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick, in a surprise wedding on July 4, 2015. The couple shares two daughters.
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