A 25-year-old man with irritable bowel syndrome shows abdominal distention and a red tongue with sticky coating. What is likely his diagnosis?

In traditional Chinese medicine, the symptoms presented—abdominal distention, a red tongue, and a sticky coating—can be analyzed through the lens of organ systems and their interactions.

The diagnosis of "Liver attacking spleen and stomach" aligns well with the symptoms, particularly in the context of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The spleen and stomach are crucial for digestion and the transformative process of food and drink. When the liver's energy, or Qi, becomes stagnant or overactive, it can lead to symptoms affecting the digestive system, such as distention or discomfort.

A red tongue typically indicates heat in the body, and a sticky coating often points to dampness. When the liver Qi stagnates, it can create an imbalance that affects the function of the spleen and stomach, leading to digestive symptoms such as bloating and distention. In this case, the Liver is not just congested but actively affecting the digestive organs, which resonates with the diagnosis of the Liver attacking spleen and stomach.

This connection provides a coherent understanding of how the individual symptoms manifest in the context of organ relationships in traditional Chinese medicine, making the chosen diagnosis the most plausible in this scenario.