There are a number of social and quality of life issues associated with not treating obstructive sleep apnoea, which can be improved significantly once treated. These include:

Poor Quality of Life:

• Fatigue
• Partner sleeping in seperate room
• Poor performance at work (sometimes leading to job loss)
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times

Social Factors:

• Snoring disturbs others who share your home
• Being embarrassed by snoring (when falling asleep on train or when visiting relatives)
• Skipping social occasions or holidays with friends due to embarrassment or low energy

Furthermore, untreated OSA can contribute to other co-existing conditions (co-orbidities) and is associated with an increase in some more serious health problems, which can not only negatively affect one's quality of life but possibly also shorten your life.

Significant Comorbidities

• Depression
• Increased frequency of common ailments (headaches, colds, flu)
• Metabolic syndrome
• Increased risk of heart attacks, stroke and diabetes, leading to reduced life expectancy

Finally, due to the excessive daytime sleepiness that OSA can cause, there is an increased risk in the following:

• Road traffic accidents (falling asleep momentarily whilst driving and slow reaction time)
  
• Accidents at work (machinery etc)