Recently, a 78-year-old woman in Maine shared her story of a misdiagnosis. When she was 64, her primary care physician referred her to a memory clinic and neurologist with the suspicion that Alzheimer’s was causing Donna Beveridge’s memory loss. However, after years of mis-diagnoses, it was eventually discovered that the real culprit was sleep apnea.
The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona is committed to providing patients with accurate diagnoses, which are critical to informing proper testing and treatment. Many people never see a sleep specialist because referrals from a GP are often required and can be difficult to obtain. That’s why this outcome-driven clinic does not require a referral.
Your consultation is with a sleep specialist who can diagnose sleep disorders, and it all takes place at the “Face of Sleep Medicine,” home to the “Top Doc,” as rated by peers for the last six consecutive years.
Early Warning Signs That Were Overlooked
Beveridge shares her story with her local newspaper, explaining that 13 years ago she began feeling overwhelmed by minor things. She was also becoming increasingly forgetful, which worried her.
When Beveridge presented her list of concerns to her GP, she says he told her, “You probably have early-stage Alzheimer’s” and that she should “be prepared to be in a nursing home within seven years.” Like many people, Beveridge trusted her doctor and followed through with the referral to a memory clinic and neurologist. Notably absent from these referrals was, of course, a sleep specialist.
The Risk of a Wrong Diagnosis
Beveridge says she accepted her fate and began taking watercolor classes to “chronicle her Alzheimer’s journey.” This led to a bevy of art shows, and Beveridge eventually began showing her work in hospitals. During this time, she joined Alzheimer’s Association support groups designed for those in the early stage of the disease.
Beveridge noticed that her fellow attendees had symptoms similar to hers, but she found it was strange that their symptoms continued to progress while hers remained relatively unchanged. Still, she recognized that everyone’s journey is different and didn’t think too much of it.
The Role of Sleep Apnea in Cognitive Decline
Five years after her initial diagnosis, she began seeing a new neurologist. This specialist asked if she had ever been tested for sleep apnea.
Beveridge said no, and that sleep apnea had never been mentioned to her before. Her neurologist immediately ordered a sleep apnea test, which revealed that she had “severe” sleep apnea. According to Beveridge, “My oxygen levels, which should be above 90, were in the 60s and 70s. Apparently, that was killing off my brain cells.”
Why Sleep Apnea Diagnoses Are Often Missed
Beveridge was fortunate to encounter a neurologist who understood the connection between sleep apnea and cognitive decline, but that is not always the case. Untreated sleep apnea can mimic the symptoms of other disorders, including dementia.
When someone has sleep apnea, they repeatedly stop breathing for short periods during sleep. This interrupts oxygen delivery to brain. In response, the brain signals the body to resume breathing. Serious health consequences can occur if this cycle happens too frequently or for prolonged periods of time. Memory problems are just one possible side effect of ongoing untreated sleep apnea
Treatment and Improvement With CPAP Therapy
Beveridge’s neurologist recommended CPAP therapy, the gold standard for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). She reports that while CPAP didn’t eliminate all cognitive issues, she “immediately” felt better.
She recalls, “I had a tremendous amount of fatigue, which goes along with sleep apnea, and it was mixing in with the cognitive issues and so, it made it very hard to feel like myself and do my normal things. The CPAP made quite a difference.”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal said a doctor told him he had sleep apnea and that it “can cause high blood pressure or strokes and you could die.” He reportedly responded, “What?” “You could die?” and since then he uses a sleep machine (1).
Beveridge’s Life Today With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Three years after her OSA diagnosis, Beveridge saw another neurologist who determined her Alzheimer’s disease was no longer an accurate diagnosis. Today, Beveridge still experiences some cognitive difficulties, but her symptoms are no longer progressing.
At 78 years old, some cognitive changes are not uncommon simply due to aging. Beveridge says she is not as organized as she once was and can still become overwhelmed, but she describes it as being similar to what many other older adults experience.
Who Is Most at Risk for Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea?
People at higher risk for undiagnosed sleep apnea include older adults, individuals with obesity, people with hypertension or diabetes, and those who snore loudly or stop breathing during sleep (2).
Postmenopausal women also have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea compared with premenopausal women. However, this increased risk appears to be linked to inflammation and related health conditions rather than age alone (3). Individuals with depression, anxiety, or cardiovascular disease are also at increased risk (4, 5).
What Happens When Sleep Apnea Goes Untreated for Years?
Long term untreated sleep apnea exposes the brain and body to repeated oxygen deprivation and chronic sleep fragmentation. Over time, this can increase the risk of persistent cognitive impairment, stroke, heart disease, arrhythmias, type 2 diabetes, and depression.
Daytime symptoms often include worsening fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, and reduced quality of life. In some cases, prolonged untreated sleep apnea may contribute to accelerated cognitive decline that does not fully reverse (6, 7, 8, 9).
How Sleep Apnea Is Properly Diagnosed
Sleep apnea is diagnosed through objective sleep testing, not symptoms alone. This may include an in-lab polysomnography or a medically supervised home sleep apnea test, depending on the patient’s health profile. These tests measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages.
A sleep specialist interprets the results, determines the severity of the condition, and confirms whether symptoms are truly sleep-related. Proper diagnosis helps ensure that cognitive symptoms are addressed at their root cause rather than mistaken for a separate neurological condition.
As the English novelist Charlotte Brontë once wrote, “A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.” (10) But sometimes, a restless pillow and the inability to breathe are exactly what ruffles the mind. Do not let a “ruffled mind” lead to years of incorrect treatment.
Why Seeing a Sleep Specialist Matters
Only a sleep specialist can diagnose a sleep disorder. If you are concerned about any aspect of your health, you deserve multiple opinions from a variety of experts. Sleep disorders affect a significant number of people and often go undiagnosed for years. Schedule your consultation with a sleep expert at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute today by calling the office or completing the online form.
References
- Sheridan, J. (2022, March 29). Shaquille O’Neal was told he could DIE after sleep apnea diagnosis and NBA legend is forced to use machine… The US Sun. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/4999809/shaquille-oneal-told-he-could-die-sleep-machine/
- Causes and Risk Factors. (2025, January 9). NHLBI, NIH. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea/causes
- Thompson, C., Legault, J., Moullec, G., Baltzan, M., Cross, N., Dang-Vu, T. T., Martineau-Dussault, M.-È., Hanly, P., Ayas, N., Lorrain, D., Einstein, G., Carrier, J., & Gosselin, N. (2022). A portrait of obstructive sleep apnea risk factors in 27,210 middle-aged and older adults in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08164-6
- Duan, X., Zheng, M., Zhao, W., Huang, J., Lao, L., Li, H., Lu, J., Chen, W., Liu, X., & Deng, H. (2022). Associations of Depression, Anxiety, and Life Events With the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Evaluated by Berlin Questionnaire. Frontiers in Medicine, 9, 799792–799792. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.799792
- Yeghiazarians, Y., Jneid, H., Tietjens, J. R., Redline, S., Brown, D. L., El-Sherif, N., Mehra, R., Bozkurt, B., Ndumele, C. E., & Somers, V. K. (2021). Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 144(3). https://doi.org/10.1161/cir.0000000000000988
- Kendzerska, T., Mollayeva, T., Gershon, A. S., Leung, R. S., Hawker, G., & Tomlinson, G. (2014). Untreated obstructive sleep apnea and the risk for serious long-term adverse outcomes: A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 18(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2013.01.003
- Kanter, B. (2017). Consequences of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea Consequences of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea. College of Arts and Sciences, 11. https://touroscholar.touro.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1184&context=sjlcas
- G JEAN-LOUIS, F ZIZI, BROWN, D., G OGEDEGBE, BORER, J., & McFARLANE, S. (2009). Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease: evidence and underlying mechanisms. Minerva Pneumologica, 48(4), 277. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3106988/
- Walia, H. K. (2019). Beyond heart health: Consequences of obstructive sleep apnea. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 86(9 suppl 1), 19–25. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.86.s1.04
- BrainyQuote. (2026). BrainyQuote. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/charlotte_bronte_134979
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for recommendations specific to your individual health needs.
