Sorry to hear that your rectum is wrecking your life right now! The good news is that there may not be any reason to cool off on spicy foods just yet. Although eating spicy foods can irritate your stomach and aggravate other digestive problems, they cannot cause your stomach, or any other organ in your digestive tract, to bleed on its own. In some cases, they can lead to inflammation in people who have very sensitive stomachs, such as those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, because you have a history of frequently enjoying spicy foods before the bleeding started, this is probably not the case.

Ulcers, which are caused commonly by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can wear away at the walls of the stomach and duodenum (small intestine) and cause bleeding.

The most common cause of bleeding in the lower digestive tract (which consists of the large intestine and rectum) is the presence of hemorrhoids in the anus or rectum. Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in that area that can be torn or ruptured, leading to the appearance of bright red blood in the toilet and/or on toilet paper. They are caused by increased pressure on the veins of the lower digestive tract, and common sources of the pressure include (but are not limited to) heavy lifting, diarrhea, and extra straining due to constipation.

Alternatively, an anal fissure, or a cut on the lining of the anus, may be responsible for the bleeding. In the worst-case scenarios, bleeding from the digestive system can signify various forms of cancer, cirrhosis, Crohn’s Disease, or polyps, especially if it is accompanied by pain.

Because there are so many different things that can cause the bleeding, it is probably a good idea to visit a health care provider. S/he can determine if your bleeding is caused by undiagnosed ulcers, fissures that need fixing, 'rhoid rage, or something else. While you're out, think about getting your wife something nice; it sounds like you definitely owe her a big one!