Bruce Springsteen has been diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease, a condition where painful open sores develop in the lining of the stomach or upper small intestine. This illness caused him significant pain, especially in his diaphragm, which made singing extremely difficult or impossible for about two to three months. He described the condition as a "monster" that severely affected his ability to perform and forced him to postpone many tour dates in 2023. After receiving medical treatment, he has been steadily recovering and resumed touring in 2024, with rescheduled shows planned through the year