(VitalNews.org) – A computer algorithm utilizing artificial intelligence has been developed by researchers in Iraq and Australia that would help detect one’s medical condition by the color of their tongue. The studies have shown ninety-eight percent accuracy with this method of detection.
Ali Al-Naji, who teaches at two universities and is the author of the study, said, “Typically, people with diabetes have a yellow tongue; cancer patients a purple tongue with a thick greasy coating; and acute stroke patients present with an unusually shaped red tongue.”
“A white tongue can indicate anemia; people with severe cases of COVID-19 are likely to have a deep red tongue. An indigo or violet-colored tongue indicates vascular and gastrointestinal issues or asthma,” Al-Naji continued.
He also said that this imaging system mimics the Chinese medicine practice of examining people’s tongues for signs of disease.
Over five thousand images were used to train artificial intelligence to identify the color of the tongue and the corresponding condition. They tested sixty tongue images from teaching hospitals, and patients sat in front of a webcam that took a photo of their tongue. In almost all cases, the AI was able to accurately recognize the disease.
Javaan Chanel, a professor at the University of South Australia, says the technology will be used for an app that could diagnose diseases such as stroke, diabetes, asthma, liver problems, and more.
Said Chahl, “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 researchers have said that there are challenges still with this such as reflections that can mislead the camera and patient reluctancy.
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