It's different for everybody but YES, it can and does. Something in your sinuses, and/or throat, close off... causing you to stop breathing... which is sleep apnea. I've heard that it can happen hundreds of times a nite. With me, it's my sinuses that are the problem, and only when I'm on my back. Congestion isn't helping any. I had a seizure a few nights ago because of it. Can't take decongestants with phenytoin either... so saline solution helps. ENT doctors treat sleep apnea, but there's tests you go through first.