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Science & Technology

Using Artificial Intelligence to Diagnose Diseases

Scientists in Iraq and Australia are using artificial intelligence to diagnose diseases. They have come up with a new system that analyzes the color of a patient's tongue to detect illnesses. This study was published in the journal of the American Institute of Physics.

How Does It Work?

The researchers found that by using artificial intelligence techniques, the diagnostic system was able to accurately detect diseases like diabetes and kidney failure in 94% of cases. This is a big deal because it means that doctors can use this technology to diagnose diseases more accurately, especially chronic and incurable ones.

The Importance of the Tongue

Believe it or not, examining the tongue for signs of disease has been around for thousands of years. Chinese herbalists were the first to do it, and doctors still use this method today. They believe that the tongue can reveal signs of diseases like diabetes, liver problems, circulatory and digestive problems, and even heart diseases.

Modern Technology

With the advancement of science and technology, computer scientists and artificial intelligence are now using images of the tongue to detect diseases. In this study, the researchers used a webcam and a computer to take pictures of the tongues of 50 patients with diabetes, kidney failure, and anemia. They compared these images with a database of 9,000 tongue images.

Results

After analyzing the images using image processing technology, the researchers were able to diagnose diseases with up to 94% accuracy compared to laboratory results. They even sent a text message to the patient or healthcare provider with the diagnosis based on the color of the tongue.

Computerized Tongue Analysis

Assistant Professor Ali Al-Naji and his colleagues are now working on using artificial intelligence and computer cameras or smartphone cameras to diagnose diseases remotely. This is called computerized tongue analysis. A study in Ukraine showed that analyzing tongue images of coronavirus patients using a smartphone can help determine the severity of the infection.

Benefits of Computerized Tongue Analysis

Dr. Al-Naji believes that computerized tongue analysis is very accurate and can help diagnose diseases in a safe, easy, painless, and cost-effective way. This is especially important during a global pandemic like the coronavirus, where it may be difficult for people to access healthcare centers.

The use of artificial intelligence to diagnose diseases by analyzing the color of the tongue is a groundbreaking development. It has the potential to improve the accuracy of disease detection and make it easier for doctors to diagnose and treat patients. With further research and advancements in technology, this method could revolutionize the field of medicine.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies