Dr. Stella Y. Awua-Larbi, MD
Nephrologist (Kidney Specialist) | Nephrology
662 Cedar Crossings Drive New Lenox IL, 60451About
Dr. Stella Awua-Larbi is a nephrologist practicing in the Southwestern Chicago Suburbs, IL. Dr. Awua-Larbi specializes in the care and management of patients with different types of kidney diseases and hypertension.
As a nephrologist, Dr. Awua-Larbi typically treats the medical, non-surgical conditions of the kidney, such as chronic kidney disease, acute renal failure, polycystic kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, electrolyte abnormalities, fluid retention and more. Nephrologists are also experts on kidney transplantation and dialysis. They are usually referred to by primary care physicians for problems related to the kidneys, and while they can perform tests to diagnose kidney disorders, they do not perform surgeries.
Education and Training
UW-Madison Bachelor of Science 2000
Medical College of Wisconsin MD 2005
Board Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine
Nephrology (Internal Medicine)
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM- Nephrology
Provider Details
Dr. Stella Y. Awua-Larbi, MD's Expert Contributions
What tests show kidney levels?
Creatinine level and GFR READ MORE
How can I fix kidney injury after COVID?
It depends on what type of kidney injury. Some people recover on their own and some don't. There is no real intervention depending on the type of kidney injury. We usually encourage patients to encourage oral hydration with fluids, avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and other medications that have the potential to hurt the kidney. READ MORE
Should I stay off work with a kidney infection?
No, you don't have to stay off work as it's not contagious unless you are feeling sick from it. READ MORE
Do I have a UTI?
Yes UTI can present this way. So you need to see your doctor and drop off a urine sample to ensure you don't have an infection. READ MORE
I have blood in my urine?
Blood in the urine can come from anywhere in the urinary system including the kidney, ureters, or bladder. Blood in the urine caused by a urinary infection should clear after the infection clears. If you are still having blood in the urine, I will recommend you see a urologist evaluate your bladder by doing a cystoscopy to ensure you do not have any growth in your bladder. READ MORE
What is the most common antibiotic for kidney infection?
Most antibiotics used with efficacy are Macrobid, Ciprofloxacin, Bactrim, Levaquin, Amoxicillin amongst others these antibiotics have good penetrance to the bladder. READ MORE
How long does it take for antibiotics to work on kidney infection?
You should see an improvement by the 2nd to 3rd day. Uncomplicated antibiotics can be treated with only 3 days of antibiotics. Complicated UTIs that causes fever, chills blood in the urine and other symptoms are treated longer, up to 7 days. READ MORE
Can a kidney infection go away on its own?
Typically, a urinary tract infection needs to be treated with an antibiotic. In some occasional instances, if symptoms are very mild and the infection is in the bladder and not the kidney, and there are no other factors promoting infection, some can hydrate aggressively and what they think might be symptoms of urinary tract infection will go away. But infection in the kidney itself always needs to be treated with an antibiotic. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Physician Lead Kidney Care Center, Joliet 2019 - Present
- Credentialing Committee Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox 2019 - Present
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Nephrology
- National Kidney Foundation
- Renal Physician Association
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Advisory Board Member of Pockets of Promise
- Member of Ghanaian Women of Georgia Association
- Sponsor for select impoverished pediatric patients hospitalized in select hospitals in Ghana
Fellowships
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Professional Society Memberships
- American College of Physicians Renal Physician AssociationAmerican Society of Nephrology
Articles and Publications
- Primary Author2011Retinal Arteriolar Caliber and Urine Albumin Excretion: The Multi-Ethnic Study of AtherosclerosisPublished in Nephrology Dialysis TransplantationCo-Author2008The L: M Cone Ratio in male of African Descent with normal Color VisionPublished in Journal of Vision
What do you attribute your success to?
- To God, family support and hard work
Areas of research
- Principal Investigator 2014A phase III Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of CTAP101 Capsules to Treat Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Subjects with Stage 3 or 4 Chronic Kidney Disease and Vitamin D InsufficiencyPrincipal Investigator2014Open-label Extension to Study ZS-004 [Phase 3 Multicenter, Multi-phase, Multi-dose, Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Maintenance Study of Safety Efficacy of ZS (Zirconium Silicate) in Hyperkalemia.]Principal Investigator2013A phase III Multicenter, Two-Phase, Multi-dose Prospective, Randomized,Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to investigate the Safety and Efficacy of ZS (Microspores, Fractionated, Protonated Zirconium Silicate), an Oral Sorbent, In Subjects with Mild to Moderate Hyperkalemia
Favorite Place to Vacation
- Turks and Caicos
Hobbies / Sports
- ReadingJogging/taking long walksEnjoy Tasting Menus
Favorite professional publications
- NEJM
Dr. Stella Y. Awua-Larbi, MD's Practice location
New Lenox, IL 60451Get Direction
Dr. Stella Y. Awua-Larbi, MD's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Awua-Larbi
Recommended Articles
- What Causes Kidney Stones? How to Prevent and Treat Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are also known as renal calculi. The occurrence of kidney stones is known as nephrolithiasis. Kidney stones in the urinary tract lead to a condition known as ureterolithiasis. Kidney stones are seen as a common occurrence in the medical world. One in twenty people tend to suffer from...
- What Causes Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune ailment. This means that instead of your body’s regular defense system attacking viruses and bacteria, it destroys healthy tissues. This causes swelling. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, hair loss, rashes, cognitive dysfunction, severe muscle and joint pain, ulcers in the...
- How to Prevent UTIs
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection in any part of the urinary or renal system (urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys). In fact, it is the second most common type of infection among adults. Besides being responsible for over 8 million visits to healthcare professionals every year,...
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Lupus?
It is very hard to diagnose lupus. Since two individuals can have different signs of lupus, doctors have a hard time diagnosing it and treating it effectively. To diagnose lupus, it can take a long time, which can be distracting to both the doctor and the affected person. The symptoms of lupus can...
- Leukocyte Esterase Test
Leukocyte Esterase Urine TestLeukocyte esterase (LE) is an esterase produced by white blood cells (WBCs) or leukocytes. A leukocyte esterase test is a urine test used to detect the presence of white blood cells and other health conditions associated with infection.Normally, leukocyte esterase...
- How Do Kidney Stones Develop?
Kidney stones are a condition that affects around 15 percent of the world's population. For reasons unknown, the condition's prevalence has increased over the last 30 years. Kidney stones more often affect men than women. What are kidney stones?Kidney stones or renal lithiasis is the formation of...
Nearby Providers
- Muhammad Hasan2856 W 95th St. Evergreen Park IL 60805
- Dr. Irum Shahab M.D.4100 HEALTHWAY DR AURORA IL 60504
- Dr. Anis A Rauf DO911 N ELM ST HINSDALE IL 60521
- Dr. Nicole Stankus MD180 Harvester Dr Willowbrook IL 60527
- Dr. Suneel Mahendra Udani M.D.911 N ELM ST HINSDALE IL 60521
- Dr. Natalie M Selk M.D.9125 S PULASKI RD EVERGREEN PARK IL 60805