Tongue Inspection in TCM: Observations in a Study Sample of Patients Living with HIV

Abstract

One of the principal diagnostic methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the inspection of the tongue. This method involves examination of the shape, size, color, and texture of the tongue body and coat and helps reveal the state of organ functions and progression of conditions. Literature on tongue observations for patients who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is minimal. The goal of this study was to provide a clinical "snapshot" of initial tongue assessments of 159 patients living with HIV, who participated in an acupuncture clinical trial for chronic nausea. The aim was to explore the similarities and differences observed in tongue assessments. This study was part of a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded (subjects and evaluators), parallel-groups, acupuncture clinical trial for treating chronic nausea. The study was conducted at a large urban New York City academic health center. The patients in this study were 159 individuals who had HIV infections and who had histories of chronic nausea for ≥3 months. Initial tongue assessments were recorded for seven basic characteristics: (1) tongue color; (2) tongue shape; (3) tongue body quality; (4) coat color; (5) coat weight; (6) coat surface; and (7) tongue action. The overall tongue picture seen in these patients was that the tongue was swollen and toothmarked, had a pink body with cracks, and had a thick, dry white coat. The HIV disease itself and the use of long term medications affect the Blood, Qi, Yin, and Yang. The observation of the tongue provides a window into the process of the disease and, ultimately, insight for clinical care. This sample population snapshot illustrates the complex processes seen in long-term chronic conditions managed by pharmacologic medications.

Deep sequencing reveals microbiota dysbiosis of tongue coat in patients with liver carcinoma

“…The tongue is a “mirror” of the body. A principal diagnostic method of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the inspection of the tongue, which examines the shape, size, colour, and texture of the tongue body and coat and helps reveal the state of organ function and progression of diseases 15 . Characterization of diverse patterns in the human tongue coat biofilm microbiome may provide useful insights into human health and disease associated with the microbiome.…”

Inspección de la lengua, preferencias y pulsos en corredores chilenos desde la medicina tradicional China

“…Los dos acupunturistas evaluaron de forma independiente sin intercambiar opiniones, evitando potenciales sesgos en la evaluación. Se incorporó a un monitor de estudio no ciego, según las recomendaciones de Anastasi (1) las cuales se desarrollarán más adelante, quién superviso que se cumplieran todas las evaluaciones, además de asegurar la fidelidad del protocolo, corroborando que no existiera intercambios de opinión entre los deportistas y los profesionales, evitando efectos de interacción, así como supervisando el no intercambio de opinión entre los acupunturistas para eliminar cualquier potencial sesgo (7) . La estimación inicial implicó el uso de un formulario de evaluación de la medicina tradicional china de la lengua.…”

“…Es importante considerar que la observación y evaluación de la lengua puede ser utilizada no solo como un elemento diagnóstico en el proceso de enfermedad (7) , sino también como una herramienta que se anticipe a la manifestación de síntomas y signos clínicos en sujetos sanos con altas exigencias física como son los deportistas, y en especial los corredores de fondo, los cuales pudieran estar expuestos a una falta de armonía (30) .…”

TCMINet: Face Parsing for Traditional Chinese Medicine Inspection via a Hybrid Neural Network With Context Aggregation

“…For instance, people with hepatitis and other liver issues may have a face or eyes with a yellow tone [3]. The tongue of HIV-infected patients may be swollen, and tooth marked [4]. Moreover, the lip color of a person is considered as a symptom to reflect the physical conditions of organs in the body [5].…”