Ancient Chinese Wisdom Meets AI: The Future of Disease Diagnosis
For two millennia, Chinese herbalists have employed the practice of disease diagnosis by examining the human tongue. Today, this ancient method is undergoing a transformation through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. A collaborative research endeavor involving Iraqi and Australian scholars has unveiled the potential of a computer-assisted tongue diagnostic system, capable of accurately identifying diseases such as diabetes and renal failure in a remarkable 94% of cases. These innovative diagnostic techniques, often accessible via simple devices like smartphones, hold substantial promise as cost-effective solutions for remote health monitoring, particularly in the context of pandemic-related constraints.
The age-old tradition of Chinese herbalists scrutinizing the human tongue for indications of illness has found a new ally in the realm of computer science, powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Tongue diagnostic systems are swiftly gaining prominence, driven by the expanding demand for remote health monitoring on a global scale. A study conducted by engineers hailing from the Middle Technical University (MTU) in Baghdad and the University of South Australia (UniSA) exemplifies the growing accuracy of this technology in detecting diseases.
Utilizing a USB web camera and a computer, these researchers captured tongue images from 50 patients afflicted with conditions like diabetes, renal failure, and anemia. They subsequently compared these images’ colors to a comprehensive database containing 9000 tongue images. Employing advanced image processing techniques, they achieved an impressive 94% accuracy rate in diagnosing these diseases, as compared to conventional laboratory results. Furthermore, a voice message detailing the tongue’s color and the corresponding disease was dispatched via text message to the patient or their designated healthcare provider.
In a recent publication in the AIP Conference Proceedings, Associate Professor Ali Al-Naji, affiliated with MTU and UniSA, and his colleagues have delved into the global advancements in computer-aided disease diagnosis based on tongue color.
“Thousands of years ago, Chinese medicine pioneered the practice of examining the tongue to detect illness,” remarks Assoc Prof Al-Naji. “Conventional medicine has long endorsed this method, demonstrating that the color, shape, and thickness of the tongue can reveal signs of diabetes, liver issues, circulatory and digestive problems, as well as blood and heart diseases.”
He continues, “Taking this a step further, new methods for diagnosing disease from the tongue’s appearance are now being done remotely using artificial intelligence and a camera – even a smartphone. Computerized tongue analysis is highly accurate and could help diagnose diseases remotely in a safe, effective, easy, painless, and cost-effective way. This is especially relevant in the wake of a global pandemic like COVID, where access to health centers can be compromised.”
Distinct tongue colors have been associated with specific medical conditions. For instance, diabetes patients often exhibit a yellow tongue, while cancer patients may display a purple tongue with a thick greasy coating. Acute stroke patients may present with a red tongue that is frequently crooked.
A study conducted in Ukraine in 2022, which analyzed tongue images of 135 COVID patients using a smartphone, revealed intriguing correlations. It found that 64% of patients with a mild infection had a pale pink tongue, 62% of those with a moderate infection had a red tongue, and 99% of severe COVID cases displayed a dark red tongue.
Previous research employing tongue diagnostic systems has demonstrated their capability to accurately diagnose conditions such as appendicitis, diabetes, and thyroid disease.
Assoc Prof Al-Naji concludes, “It is possible to diagnose with 80% accuracy more than 10 diseases that cause a visible change in tongue color. In our study, we achieved a 94% accuracy rate with three diseases, so the potential is there to fine-tune this research even further.”
Reference: “Computer-aided diseases diagnosis system based on tongue color analysis: A review” by Abdulghafor Khudhaer Abdullah, Saleem Lateef Mohammed, and Ali Al-Naji, 8 September 2023, AIP Conference Proceedings. DOI: 10.1063/5.0154231
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about AI-powered Tongue Diagnosis
What is the ancient Chinese method of tongue diagnosis?
The ancient Chinese method of tongue diagnosis involves examining the color, shape, and thickness of a person’s tongue to detect signs of various illnesses.
How has this ancient practice been modernized with technology?
This ancient practice has been modernized with the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Researchers now use computer-assisted tongue diagnostic systems to enhance the accuracy of disease detection.
What was the result of the collaborative study between Iraqi and Australian researchers?
The collaborative study between Iraqi and Australian researchers demonstrated that the computer-assisted tongue diagnostic system could accurately identify diseases like diabetes and renal failure in 94% of cases.
How do these diagnostic systems work?
These diagnostic systems utilize a USB web camera and computer to capture tongue images. Advanced image processing techniques are then applied to analyze the tongue’s color, enabling accurate disease diagnosis.
What are the potential applications of this technology?
The technology has potential applications in remote health monitoring, especially in scenarios like pandemics. It offers a cost-effective and non-invasive means of diagnosing diseases, even via smartphones.
Can this technology be used to diagnose other diseases?
Yes, previous studies have shown that tongue diagnostic systems can accurately diagnose various diseases, including appendicitis, diabetes, and thyroid disease, based on changes in tongue color.
How accurate is this method compared to traditional laboratory tests?
The computer-assisted tongue diagnostic system achieved an impressive 94% accuracy rate in diagnosing diseases, as compared to conventional laboratory results.
What are some examples of specific tongue colors associated with certain diseases?
For instance, diabetes patients often exhibit a yellow tongue, while cancer patients may display a purple tongue with a thick greasy coating. Acute stroke patients may present with a red tongue.
How relevant is this technology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
This technology is highly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as it enables remote disease diagnosis, reducing the need for physical visits to healthcare centers, which can be compromised during a pandemic.
What is the potential for further research in this field?
There is significant potential for further research to fine-tune the accuracy of this technology and expand its application to diagnose more diseases based on tongue color changes.
3 comments
Aweome news abt tech improving health diagnozis, 94% accuracy – wow!
ancient Chinese method for diagnozing diseases by lookin at the tongue? crazy but intereseting!
tongue colors = disease signs? Very cool, could be huge in healthcare.