Khaberni - Scientists have developed artificial intelligence programs capable of examining the tongue for early detection of diseases such as diabetes, anemia, and stomach cancer.
These programs rely on the precise analysis of the tongue's color, texture, and shape, enabling them to detect changes that may not be noticeable to doctors with the naked eye.
Doctors have long used tongue examination as a mirror to overall health, as changes in color or texture may indicate various diseases. For example, a smooth tongue may indicate anemia due to a deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, while dryness may suggest diabetes, and a thick white tongue may indicate an infection, whereas hairy white patches could suggest Epstein-Barr virus.
According to a study published in the Journal of Technology, an artificial intelligence program diagnosed 58 out of 60 patients with diabetes and anemia from a single tongue image. Another study showed the program's ability to detect stomach cancer through subtle changes in the tongue’s color and texture, such as the thickness of the surface layer, irregular color loss, and the appearance of red spots linked to inflammation of the digestive system. The program achieved diagnostic accuracy between 85 and 90% when compared to results from endoscopy or computed tomography tests, according to the eClinicalMedicine site.
Professor Dong Shu, a bioinformatics expert at the University of Missouri, explains: "Artificial intelligence learns by identifying statistical patterns in thousands of tongue images and linking them to clinical data, distinguishing visual characteristics that recur in patients with specific diseases more than in healthy individuals". These characteristics include color distribution, surface texture, moisture, thickness, cracks, and swelling.
Experts note that artificial intelligence does not replace the doctor, as it can make mistakes or associate symptoms with incorrect factors. For example, the program might link tongue pallor to anemia when the cause is poor blood circulation.
Experts conclude by affirming that tongue examination with artificial intelligence serves as a powerful auxiliary tool for early detection and prioritizing healthcare, but it should complement traditional medical evaluation and laboratory tests.
