Question 2 Surgery is usually necessary only when recurrent intestinal obstruction or intractable abscesses or fistulas are present. Resection of the affected segment of bowel may result in amelioration of symptoms indefinitely, but is not a cure. In some cases another operation is required. There is no specific therapy, however there is pharmacological help. In the acute stage of the disease, corticosteroid therapy may dramatically reduce the distressing symptoms, increase appetite and sense of well being.
Oral prednisone is used in a carefully designed program.
A very recent study on chronically active Crohn's disease has shown that the drug methotrexate, originally used to treat tumors and now being recognised as effective in osteoarthritis, can reduce the symptoms as well as decrease and in some cases, eliminate, the need for prednisone. Trust this has been of some help - if he needs it, there's lots of help out there. Best wishes to you and your Dad.