Earlier this month, music legend Billy Joel made headlines for a reason that had nothing to do with stadium tours or new releases: he revealed that his recent health challenges stem from a degenerative brain condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
For many, this was the first time they had ever heard of the neurodegenerative disease. But for clinicians, caregivers, and the millions affected, Billy Joel’s story may be a powerful turning point.
A Hidden Epidemic in Plain Sight
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a neurological disorder caused by abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles. What makes the condition challenging to diagnose is that the pressure inside the skull remains “normal”, which means many clinicians overlook it entirely. In addition, its key symptoms – walking difficulties, urinary incontinence, and cognitive decline – are often misattributed to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or simply aging itself.
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, which affects approximately 5% of those over 65 years old, up to 80% of these cases are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Many families will see their elderly loved ones decline, without knowing that with proper diagnosis and treatment these debilitating symptoms can be reversed.
Billy Joel’s openness is more than a health update. It’s a moment of visibility for a condition that desperately needs it.
Greater Awareness Could Lead to Better Patient Outcomes
Bill Joel’s openness will help to shed light on a condition that affects an estimated 5 million people in the US and Europe alone. Because NPH mimics conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and because it isn’t on most people’s radar, many patients don’t know to advocate for themselves or to ask for testing. And clinicians often don’t include NPH in their diagnostic workflow, missing a key pathway to improved outcomes for elderly patients
However, we know that with timely diagnosis and the placement of a shunt to drain excess CSF, many patients see dramatic improvements in mobility, continence and quality of life – often regaining independence for years to come.
Such positive outcomes depend entirely on recognizing the signs of NPH and making the right diagnosis early, and that’s where greater public awareness becomes our strongest ally.
A New Chapter in NPH Awareness
Billy Joel’s announcement is as brave as it is potentially transformative. It’s a reminder that awareness saves lives, and that we must do better in diagnosing treatable conditions like NPH. As more voices join the conversation, and as smarter tools like XP One become widely available, we have a real opportunity to rewrite the story for millions of aging adults.
At X-Pressure, we believe no one should lose their independence to a condition that can be treated. Learn how XP One will help clinicians around the world detect NPH earlier, faster, and more accurately at x-pressure.com.
