intermittent sleep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intermittent sleep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sleep pattern characterized by periods of wakefulness interspersed with sleep, often seen in various sleep disorders or conditions. Example: "Many people experience intermittent sleep due to stress or anxiety, leading to fatigue during the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Intermittent sleep by individuals might provide the community with someone always ready to be on guard.

The New York Times - Books

Compared with acute sleep restriction (ASR), chronic sleep restriction (CSR) which is induced by long-term intermittent sleep deprivation or sleep fragmentation is more prevalent and can lead to more serious consequences [ 4].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Synchronized Ca2+ oscillation waves, called early network oscillations, intrinsic to the neocortex, occur on average every 25 s during intermittent sleep-like resting periods.

Plosone

Recent studies using fiber optics implanted in the cortex of non-anaesthetised newborn mice showed that spontaneous and synchronized ENOs occur in the cortex during intermittent sleep-like periods, which are absent during motion [9].

Plosone

He noted that some researchers include intermittent deep sleep in the category of palliative sedation, while others limit it to continuous sedation, which he said might explain some of the variance in estimates of how often it occurs.

The New York Times - Health

Several mechanisms, including intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation and immune activation may contribute to this association [ 8- 11].

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Convenience was commonly reported as a mitigating factor to knowledge, especially for intermittent and naptime sleep.

Injury Epidemiology

Intermittent short "deep sleep" phases while lying are characterized by the giraffe bending its neck backwards and resting its head on the hip or thigh, a position believed to indicate paradoxical sleep.

Wikipedia

The available data suggest that long-term exposure to intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation increases sympathetic nerve activity, contributing to disorders of glucose metabolism [4].

Plosone

In addition, intermittent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation increase the risk of IR (5).

Diabetes Care

SDB may lead to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, and inflammatory pathways as a consequence of chronic intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation (28).

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing health conditions or sleep disorders, use "intermittent sleep" to specifically describe a pattern of sleep characterized by recurring interruptions or fragmentation.

Common error

Avoid using "intermittent sleep" interchangeably with insomnia. While both involve sleep disturbances, "intermittent sleep" describes a specific pattern of interruptions, whereas insomnia refers to difficulty falling or staying asleep overall.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intermittent sleep" is as a noun phrase. It describes a specific type of sleep pattern, often used in medical and scientific contexts to characterize disrupted or fragmented sleep. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in diverse source types.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intermittent sleep" accurately describes a sleep pattern marked by frequent interruptions, often associated with underlying health conditions or lifestyle factors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As highlighted by Ludwig, its meaning is close to ""fragmented sleep"" or ""broken sleep"". Predominantly found in scientific and medical contexts, "intermittent sleep" serves to classify and describe sleep disturbances in discussions regarding health and well-being. While not interchangeable with insomnia, which encompasses a broader range of sleep difficulties, "intermittent sleep" offers a specific descriptor for sleep patterns characterized by recurring interruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmented sleep

This term emphasizes the broken nature of sleep, highlighting the presence of multiple awakenings.

broken sleep

Similar to fragmented sleep, this option underscores the lack of continuous, restful sleep.

interrupted sleep pattern

This phrase highlights that the usual succession of sleep stages and cycles is not happening as expected.

disrupted sleep

This alternative focuses on the interruption aspect of sleep, similar to intermittent sleep, but lacks the implication of regular intervals.

sporadic sleeping

This alternative emphasizes the irregularity and infrequency of sleep episodes.

fitful sleep

This phrase suggests restless and disturbed sleep, characterized by frequent movements and awakenings.

irregular sleep schedule

This phrase focuses on a sleeping pattern that does not follow a fixed timetable or routine.

restless sleep

Like fitful sleep, this alternative describes a sleep pattern lacking in tranquility and ease.

periodic wakefulness

This option shifts the focus to the periods of wakefulness occurring during the night, rather than the sleep itself.

unstable sleep

This alternative highlights that the usual sleep characteristics are frequently changing.

FAQs

What does "intermittent sleep" mean?

"Intermittent sleep" refers to a sleep pattern characterized by frequent interruptions and periods of wakefulness during the night.

What are some possible causes of "intermittent sleep"?

Several factors can contribute to "intermittent sleep", including stress, anxiety, sleep disorders like sleep apnea, and certain medical conditions. Lifestyle factors such as irregular sleep schedules can also disrupt sleep.

What are some alternative phrases for "intermittent sleep"?

You can use alternatives like "fragmented sleep", "disrupted sleep", or "broken sleep" to describe a sleep pattern with frequent interruptions.

How is "intermittent sleep" different from insomnia?

"Intermittent sleep" describes a specific sleep pattern with interruptions, while insomnia is a broader term referring to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep.