What condition is characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and may lead to headaches?

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels, particularly the arteries in the head and neck. This inflammation can lead to severe headaches, often presenting as unilateral and throbbing in nature. Additionally, it is associated with other symptoms such as scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and visual disturbances due to the potential compromise of blood flow to the eyes.

The condition is more common in individuals over the age of 50 and is considered a medical emergency due to the risk of complications like vision loss if not treated promptly. Corticosteroids are often the first line of treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent serious sequelae.

In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis is primarily an autoimmune joint disorder that does not typically present with headaches as a direct symptom, though systemic involvement can occur. Migraines and cluster headaches are primary headache disorders that involve neurological processes rather than inflammation of blood vessels. While they can lead to severe headache pain, they do not primarily result from the same inflammatory processes affecting blood vessels as seen in temporal arteritis.