AI system uses tongue color to identify multiple health conditions

Artificial intelligence (AI) advancements continue to revolutionize the medical field, with new technologies offering innovative ways to diagnose and treat health conditions. One such breakthrough is an AI system that uses tongue color to identify multiple health issues with remarkable accuracy.

Developed by researchers from Iraq and Australia, this system has shown a 98% success rate in predicting various diseases — demonstrating the potential of AI to transform traditional diagnostic methods.

How does it work?

The AI system, created by engineering researchers from Middle Technical University (MTU) and the University of South Australia (UniSA), analyzes the color of the human tongue to detect a range of health conditions. The development process involved training machine learning algorithms on 5260 images to accurately associate tongue colors with specific diseases. For instance, the system can identify conditions such as diabetes, stroke, anemia, asthma, liver and gallbladder issues, and even COVID-19.

The technology works by capturing images of the patient's tongue from a camera positioned 20 centimeters away. The AI model then compares the tongue's color against its extensive database and predicts the health condition in real time.

This method echoes a practice used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, where the tongue's appearance is examined to diagnose ailments.

Why does it matter?

This AI-driven approach to health diagnostics is significant for several reasons. First, it offers a non-invasive, quick, and highly accurate disease detection method. The ability to diagnose conditions with just a tongue image can greatly enhance accessibility to healthcare, especially in regions where advanced medical equipment and professionals are scarce.

Moreover, the system's success highlights the potential of AI to integrate ancient practices with modern technology, creating new diagnostic tools that are rooted in tradition and supported by cutting-edge science.

As co-author UniSA Professor Javaan Chahl points out, "These results confirm that computerized tongue analysis is a secure, efficient, user-friendly, and affordable method for disease screening that backs up modern methods with a centuries-old practice."

The context

The use of tongue analysis in traditional Chinese medicine has long been recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool. The color, shape, and coating of the tongue can indicate various health conditions, such as diabetes, where a yellow tongue is common, or a purple tongue with a thick greasy coating often seen in cancer patients. This AI system replicates and modernizes this ancient practice, offering a scientifically validated method that can be used globally.

The study's success, published in the journal "Technologies," paves the way for future applications where a simple smartphone camera might be all that's needed to diagnose a range of health issues. This technology could transform health screening, making it more accessible and efficient for millions of people worldwide.