A 47-year-old man presents with abdominal pain and difficulties breathing. He has a history of alcohol abuse and confirmed cirrhosis of the liver. On examination, you see a malnourished, jaundiced patient with a distended belly. Percussion of the abdomen reveals a huge amount of fluid and wave sign. What is the primary cause of the ascites?


A) Increased albumin production
B) Increased ammonia production
C) Portal hypertension
D) Decreased fluid intake
E) Blockage of the common bile duct