CLEVELAND —  Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, who is a vegan, has been hospitalized with severe effects of apparent food poisoning.

The 60-year-old Ohio congressman became sick Sunday night while flying to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to address the national Longshoremen's convention. He went ahead with a speech Monday but immediately returned home and was hospitalized in the Cleveland area.

The name of the hospital wasn't disclosed. Andy Juniewicz, a campaign spokesman, said Kucinich was improving Tuesday night and said no medical update was available Wednesday morning.

Kucinich, a former Cleveland mayor, is making his second, long-shot bid for the presidency.