Final answer:
Cirrhosis can cause death due to complications such as portal hypertension, ascites, and infection. In advanced stages, a liver transplant may be the only option.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cirrhosis can cause the death of patients due to various complications.
One common cause of death in cirrhosis is portal hypertension. This occurs when scarring in the liver obstructs the flow of blood through the liver, causing high blood pressure in the portal vein. As a result, blood from the intestines bypasses the liver and returns to the heart without undergoing detoxification. This can lead to the development of complications such as ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen) and an increased risk of infection.
In advanced stages of cirrhosis, when the liver has severely deteriorated, the only treatment option may be a liver transplant.