OSA tends to worsen when the upper airway becomes more prone to collapsing during sleep. The most common contributing factors include excess weight, alcohol consumption in the evening, sedatives or certain medications that reduce muscle tone, sleeping on your back, persistent nasal congestion, smoking and sleep deprivation. Certain anatomical features may also play a role. Identifying and addressing these factors — alongside the appropriate treatment — is often decisive in reducing the severity of symptoms and the overall burden of OSA.