yeah, you can increase you tolerance for spicy food, but so far, i haven't had the need or the opportunity. every time i try spicy food, it is a total disaster for my nose and eyes.
oh, i see how this food can be really hard for you. i can sympathize with that. i stayed in sichuan for a year. the food was difficult at the beginning. every dish was so spicy. after a while though, i got used to the taste, and now i won't consider anything a real dish if it isn't spicy.