Final answer:
Systemic autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus result from the immune system attacking the body's own tissues, caused by mechanisms such as molecular mimicry. Treatments focus on managing symptoms with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Systemic autoimmune diseases involve widespread immune system attacks against the body's own tissues and organs, rather than targeting a single organ. Examples of systemic autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These often debilitating conditions result from a loss of immunological tolerance, where the immune system fails to differentiate between self and non-self antigens.
The causes are largely unknown, but they can involve mechanisms such as molecular mimicry, where pathogens bear structural similarity to self antigens. Treatment for these autoimmune conditions typically involves the use of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs, like steroids, in order to manage symptoms.