The symptoms your grandmother is experiencing—pounding headache, bulging and tender vessel on the temple, and jaw pain when eating—are classic indicators of a condition called temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis. This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels, particularly the temporal arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain.
When the temporal artery becomes inflamed, it can lead to significant pain and tenderness in the affected area. The headache associated with this condition is often described as severe and persistent, and the swelling of the artery can be visibly noticeable. Additionally, the jaw pain that occurs during chewing, known as jaw claudication, is a key symptom that suggests compromised blood flow. It is crucial to address these symptoms promptly because they can lead to serious complications if untreated, including vision loss.